UK urged not to exploit poor countries in rush for critical minerals

Many critical minerals are crucial to the manufacture of solar panels and other low carbon energy sources but campaigners say much of the demand comes from the arms and consumer tech industries. Photograph: Chile/Reuters

The risk of neocolonial exploitation in the global rush for critical minerals must be addressed by the government as it formulates its official supply chain strategy, say civil society campaigners.

They have said the scrabble for access is being greenwashed as wealthier economies around the world attempt to line up a host of minerals that are essential to the manufacture of hi-tech products, including cobalt, lithium and nickel.