[SMM New Energy News Flash] Mining has returned to the UK’s Black Country in a modern form known as “urban mining,” where lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are recycled to recover critical elements. Traditional disposal of these batteries is hazardous, as punctures or crushing can cause fires or explosions. Wolverhampton-based LiBatt Recycling has developed a safe method of shredding batteries in a nitrogen gas atmosphere, preventing combustion while allowing copper, aluminium, plastic, and a valuable material called black mass, containing cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium to be reclaimed. This breakthrough makes LiBatt the first company in the UK capable of safely and effectively recycling lithium-ion batteries. The recovered materials could supply around 42% of the UK’s demand for these raw elements, reducing reliance on overseas mining and imports. Working with a consortium in the West Midlands, LiBatt aims to close the battery recycling loop and foster domestic production of next-generation batteries, contributing to sustainability and energy security.