CMA (UK) 6th Annual Conference: Strength through Supply

Welcoming experts from across the globe and supply chain to explore the future of responsible critical mineral supply chains.
About this Event

Entering its sixth year, the Critical Minerals Association (UK) Annual Conference – Strength through Supply returns during a period of significant change and opportunity across the global mining and critical minerals sector. As a proud partner of London Mining Week, the conference brings together perspectives from across the value chain to explore the developments shaping the future of responsible mineral supply. As the UK’s trade body for critical minerals, the CMA provides a platform for dialogue between UK and international stakeholders, connecting policymakers, industry, investors, academia, service providers and end users.

The 2026 programme will open with an update on the global critical minerals outlook from the International Energy Agency, before exploring developments in international cooperation, progress in delivering the UK Critical Minerals Strategy, and the role of investment in scaling new supply. Discussions will bring together perspectives on standards-based markets, financing projects at scale, navigating environmental permitting, attracting investment into UK opportunities and understanding the needs of purchasers as demand for critical minerals continues to grow.

Featuring insights from across government, industry, finance and the wider supply chain, Strength through Supply will provide a forum for informed discussion between those developing resources, enabling investment, shaping policy and creating the markets required to support the energy transition and future industries.

This event is proudly sponsored by Cornish Metals and Vale Base Metals.

08:00 - 10:00 Breakfast Reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Critical Minerals

10:00 – 10:30 Arrivals

10:30 – 10:35 Opening Remarks

10:35 – 10:55 Presentation: The State of Play - IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook

• Shobhan Dhir - Critical Minerals Analyst, International Energy Agency

10:55 – 11:10 Presentation: G7 Update

11:10 – 11:50 Panel Discussion: Standards Based Markets and Shared Prosperity

• Abbey Dorian - Head of Sector (Energy), British Standards Institution
• Isabelle Scott - Senior Policy Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• Louis Marechal - Senior Advisor (Minerals & Extractives), OECD
• Paul Benjamin - Vice President of Research, Ocean Partners

11:50 - 12:10 Tea & Coffee Break

12:10 – 12:50 Panel Discussion: The New Resource Agenda - National Security & Stockpiling in a Global Energy Transition

• James Purdie - Head of Investor Relations, Arion Investment Management
• Tatako Onitsuka - General Manager, Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC)

12:50 – 13:30 Panel Discussion: International Financing at Scale

• Lilly Wilson - Investment Associate, Orion Resource Partners
• Felicitas Reidl - Director of Innovation & Competitiveness, European Investment Bank
• Dr Rory Sullivan - Secretariat, Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030
• Emmanuelle Dot - Head of International & Cross Government, UK Export Finance (UKEF)

13:30 – 14:30 Lunch

14:30 – 14:45 Fireside Chat: Lessons from Abroad

14:45 – 15:05 Presentation: The UK Critical Minerals Strategy - Progress on Delivery

• Mike Hill - Deputy Director of Critical Minerals & Mining, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST)

15:05 – 15:45 Panel Discussion: Success Stories - How to Attract UK Funding

• Thomas Kelly - Director of Operations, Ionic Technologies
• Don Turvey - CEO, Cornish Metals
• Ingrid Edmund - Managing Director, National Wealth Fund
• Julia van Tuyll - Head of Investor Relations & Fundraising, TechMet

15:45 – 16:05 Tea and Coffee Break

16:05 – 16:45 Circular Economy in the UK Devolved Administrations

• Paul Cantwell - Material Circularity & Supply Chain Development Manager, Zero Waste Scotland
• Bill Firth - General Manager of Business Development, European Metal Recycling (EMR)

16:45 – 17:25 Panel Discussion: Diversifying Procurement – Perspectives from Purchasers

• Elise Carre-Bishop - Head of Commercial, Fusion Powerplant Programme (STEP), UK Atomic Energy Authority

17:25 – 17:30 Closing Remarks

• Blair McDougall MP, UK Minister for Reindustrialisation, BIST

17:30 - 19:30 Drinks Reception

If you are interested in speaking, exhibiting, or sponsoring, please contact [email protected]