Focusing on Meaningful Outcomes
The CMIA is an industry body focused on dismantling barriers and creating favourable conditions to diversify existing critical minerals supply chains.
The CMIA supports like-minded governments in navigating geopolitical and supply chain complexities, better understanding industry needs across the value chain, and designing and implementing solution-focused strategies.
We cannot accept irresponsibility today if we want to build a better tomorrow.
Jeff Townsend
Meet the Team
Jeff Townsend
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Jeff is the founder of the Critical Minerals Associations in the UK, Australia and the U.S. as well as CMIA. He is an internationally recognised critical minerals expert with strong ties to the UK, Australia, across Africa and the Middle East.
Jeff is an experienced public affairs and campaign strategist having been a Director at Aspect Consulting and an International Affairs Advisor and Chief of Staff to members of the UK parliament.
Jeff is also the Founder of Critical Productions, an Advisory Board Member of the Materials Processing Institute, and member of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade Critical Minerals Taskforce.
Olimpia Pilch
Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Olimpia is a geologist by training having completed a BSc Geology degree at Durham University and an MSc Exploration Geology degree at Camborne School of Mines. Olimpia has driven thought leadership on responsible sourcing of critical minerals which influenced government policy. She actively champions the industry and brings together critical minerals companies, end users, investors, and governments.
Olimpia is a Fellow of The Geological Society of London, an a member of Women in Mining.
International Network
The CMIA is a mechanism that brings together its domestically-focused associations, CMA Australia, CMA UK, and CMA USA to foster greater collaboration across industry, government and academia.
The CMIA actively promotes and supports our domestic associations in enabling supply chain integration.
We are also partnered with the Canadian Minerals & Materials Alliance (C2M2A).
Domestic Associations
Each domestic association operates independently, promoting its members and the nation's best interests. Explore our associations to learn more about their success stories and how they make a difference.
The CMIA supports international collaboration between the associations, and with like-minded governments and industry.
CMA Australia aims to favourably position Australian companies involved in the critical minerals value chain to effectively compete on the global stage.
CMA UK unites the UK Government, industry, academia and other actors in support of the UK’s critical mineral sector. The CMA UK is the secretariat for the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Critical Minerals.
The CMA USA focuses on promoting its members' interests at both State and Federal governments to enable the creation of secure and profitable made-in-America supply chains.
Partner Association
C2M2A is an independent non-profit organisation which endeavours to grow the Canadian economy through critical minerals supply chains.
Transitioned from CREEN (EST. 2013) to C2M2A in 2021