News
Vital minerals could be under North Pembrokeshire
NORTH Pembrokeshire is among the areas of the UK that could contain Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) upon which modern technology relies.
A British Geological Survey survey identified the geological processes necessary to form CRM deposits. It then mapped the criteria against available data. The study team used geological maps, soil and sediment geochemistry, and mineral occurrences to identify potentially prospective areas containing CRMs.
CRMs are those minerals that are economically important, like those needed to make batteries and semiconductors. They are vital for the clean energy transition and at the greatest risk of supply chain disruption.
The UK has 18 metals and minerals on its CRM list, with another six highly important materials. These are almost exclusively obtained from mining and refining operations in other countries, although tungsten has been mined in the UK in recent years.
Along with several other areas identified, North Pembrokeshire has a long history of mineral mining stretching back to prehistoric times. Dinas Fawr, near Solva, once had a silver mine. A lead mine at Llanfyrnach provided 150 tons of lead ore (galena) monthly. Silver was also extracted from the galena.
“Potentially prospective” doesn’t mean inevitable mining, which many, regardless of economic need and importance, would oppose on principle.
The report’s authors stress that identifying an area as prospective does not necessarily mean it will be targeted for exploration and mining.
Eimear Deady, BGS Mineral Resource Geologist, said: “Our report identifies the parts of the UK where the geological criteria have been met and therefore have the potential for deposits to occur. There are no guarantees.
“The report focuses on the geological evidence and does not consider potential constraints on development; for example, where there are areas of outstanding beauty, villages and towns, or other environmental considerations.
“Much more research is required. Prospectors must go through a well-established planning process if they find evidence of commercially viable CRM deposits. Only one in a thousand potential mineral exploration projects becomes an operating mine.
“The areas we have identified, along with other parts of the UK, are underexplored, and we need more systematic research to understand the potential availability of CRMs in our country.
Dr Kathryn Goodenough, the BGS’s Chief Geologist and co-author of the report said: “Gold, barite, fluorite, gypsum, potash and polyhalite are among the minerals being mined now. Exploration for many raw materials is occurring across the whole of the UK.
“Some CRMs, like lithium, tin and graphite, are typically the primary products of mines. Others are produced as co- or by-products.
“Where mining develops for other commodities, it is always important that miners also assess the potential for CRMs in their deposits.
“Other countries like Canada, the USA, Norway, Sweden and Finland are mapping their geological potential. They also understand the risk of relying entirely on global supply chains for minerals that are vital to our way of life.”
EMERGENCY services were called after a car crashed into a house on Nun Street in St Davids on Thursday (Apr 24).
Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene at around 4:35pm following reports of a single-vehicle collision.
On arrival, they found that a car had collided with a residential property. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The road remained open while the vehicle was recovered.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended a report of a single-vehicle road traffic collision where a car collided with a property on Nun Street, St Davids, at around 4:35pm yesterday. No injuries were reported, and the road remained open while the vehicle was recovered.”
POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a 54-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Milford Haven area.
Neil is described as being around 6ft 2in tall with a shaved head. He has tattoos on his arms and one of his fingers, and sometimes wears glasses.
He was last seen on Friday afternoon (Apr 26) wearing a black Superdry hoodie, ripped jeans, and orange and black Nike Air trainers. Neil is believed to be on foot.
Anyone with information that could help is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police: 
| Online portal
| 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
| Call 101, quoting reference 262 of April 26.
Wales joins UK’s largest firefighting aid convoy
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has taken part in the UK’s largest ever convoy delivering vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, joining 17 other Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) from across the country.
The convoy, coordinated by FIRE AID and supported by the UK Government, left the UK in early April. It travelled through France, Germany and Poland, delivering over 30 fire service vehicles and more than 15,000 items of equipment to support Ukrainian firefighters on the front line of the ongoing war.
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, UK fire services have donated 119 vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine. Each participating service ensured local needs were met before donating surplus kit.
Watch Manager Rob Kershaw represented MAWWFRS on the convoy. He said:
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this convoy and to represent both FIRE AID and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
We received invaluable support and assistance from fire and police services across every country we passed through. Their help in coordinating, escorting, and hosting the convoy was outstanding.”
Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM added:
“MAWWFRS is proud to support our colleagues in Ukraine by donating and delivering essential equipment.
The events in Ukraine have deeply affected the fire and rescue community, and this convoy is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to helping those still working under extreme conditions.”
The donated equipment will support firefighters in Ukraine who continue to operate in war zones to save lives and protect property—often at great personal risk. Since the conflict began, 100 Ukrainian firefighters have been killed and 431 injured. A total of 411 fire stations and 1,700 firefighting vehicles have been destroyed.
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