October update- more political history amidst the chaos

Matt- The Telegraph, 15th October

During the first half of October the UK economy was in turmoil, with the pound and the US$ almost at parity, due to the tax-cutting plan put forward by the new Prime Minister Liz Truss and her Chancellor,  Kwasi Kwarteng. On the 14th of the month, only 38 days into their partnership, Kwarteng announced that his job was 100% safe, and Truss expressed complete confidence in him. A few hours later she sacked him, appointed a new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, who then performed a huge U-turn on her tax cuts. Five days later the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, resigned and was immediately replaced by Grant Shapps, the former Transport Secretary. The following day Liz Truss resigned, despite a few days earlier having said that she would lead the Conservatives into the 2024 General Election. After only 44 days in office, she becomes the shortest serving PM in UK history.

More political history was made eight days ago when Rishi Sunak, who Liz Truss defeated in the first leadership election, became her successor, the first British Asian to become PM, and at 42 years of age the youngest since Robert Jenkinson in 1812.

"You must be November's Prime Minister?"

But apart from the Whitehall Farce, the energy crisis still dominates much of the news, the escalating war in Ukraine exacerbating the situation as many European countries are reliant on Russian gas supplies. The reduced supply of some critical metals from Russia, such as nickel and cobalt, is also worrying, making the transition to a green economy more difficult as demand for metals for renewables increases. 

It has been encouraging, however, to have seen over the past year or so that the media and governments have slowly woken up to the fact that mining is of crucial importance to society. However there is a worrying shortage of young people entering the industry, and this 'people asset' will be highlighted at Flotation '23 in a keynote lecture from Diana Drinkwater, of Metcelerate. Recruitment of young people with the necessary background is vital, so it was astounding to see last month that Birkbeck, University of London, has said its careers service will no longer hold relationships of any kind with oil, gas or mining companies.

The university said in its "Ethical Careers Policy" that this relationship "includes, but is not limited to, attendance at careers fairs and other recruitment opportunities, posting role vacancies, sponsorships and advertising". The policy adds that "job posts made by or on behalf of oil, gas or mining companies, in line with our commitment to sustainability and addressing the climate crisis, will not be approved by Birkbeck Talent".

The decision follows a campaign by the student-led group People & Planet, to cut off recruitment pathways to miners. The group said universities have been "propping up the companies most responsible for destroying the planet", while the climate crisis was "the defining issue of most students' current lifetimes". 

Joe Carr, Axora's Director of Innovation, and a graduate of Camborne School of Mines, said: "This is disappointing to see - the talent gap in mining is real and it puts mining companies in a difficult position. With raw materials being more important than ever in tackling the current climate crisis, the idea that mining companies (excluding coal) are part of the problem is incredibly problematic."

And finally, Barbara has been making amazing progress after her recent operation and has asked me to thank everyone who has sent her cards, flowers, and good wishes via the posting of October 1st, and by email and phone. Due to her convalescence she will not be in Sitges this week for Process Mineralogy '22 but she is looking forward, as we all are, to returning to Cape Town in April for Comminution '23. 

Barbara certainly wasn't going to miss the 18th birthday celebrations for our eldest grandson, William, and it was interesting to reflect that in his life so far no fewer than seven Prime Ministers have been in office in the UK!

Barbara with William (left) and his younger brother Jack

@barrywills