Critical Minerals Challenge Centre Contributes to Design Museum Exhibition Exploring the UK’s Mineral Future

The Critical Minerals Challenge Centre (CMCC) is proud to have contributed to Design Researchers in Residence: 2025/26 – Mineral, a new exhibition at London’s Design Museum that explores how the UK’s geological landscapes are being reshaped by the transition to a low-carbon economy. The free exhibition, open until 20 September 2026, brings together four design researchers whose work examines the complex relationships between mineral extraction, communities, heritage and the green transition.

Among the featured researchers is architect and writer Alfred Yatlong Yeung, whose project focuses on Cornwall’s emerging lithium industry and the changing identity of landscapes shaped by both historic and future mineral extraction. His research explores the tensions and opportunities created by new mining activities in areas with deep cultural, environmental and industrial heritage connections.

Earlier this year, Alfred visited the Critical Minerals Challenge Centre and Camborne School of Mines, where he met with CMCC team members Dr Eva Marquis, Dr Joanie Willett and Dr Christie van Tinteren. Their expertise helped inform his investigation into what he describes as the evolving values of a “reindustrialising post-industrial landscape”. Alfred explained:

“I am looking at evolving landscape values in a ‘reindustrialising post-industrial landscape’. I am looking to develop an open-source map of geo-referenced community relationships with China Clay mining heritage, new lithium mining proposals, and renewable energy infrastructure. This work is influenced by and aims to challenge pre-existing planning practices (this comes from my background as an architect).”

His project seeks to understand how local communities relate to both Cornwall’s mining past and its role in supplying critical minerals needed for future clean technologies. By exploring community perspectives alongside industrial development, the research highlights the social dimensions of the UK’s critical minerals challenge.

CMCC Innovation Fellow Dr Christie van Tinteren, whose research examines mining communities, industrial change and the future of work, provided valuable insights into the social and cultural impacts of mineral development. His work at the Centre focuses on ensuring that communities can benefit from emerging critical mineral industries while drawing lessons from the region’s rich mining heritage.

The Mineral exhibition forms part of the Design Museum’s Future Observatory programme, delivered in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). It challenges visitors to consider how growing demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements is transforming landscapes across the UK, and asks whether net-zero ambitions can be achieved while responsibly managing finite natural resources.

The exhibition is open at the Design Museum in London until 20 September 2026 and offers a fascinating exploration of the connections between geology, communities, industry and the green transition.