The New Geopolitics of Critical Minerals Critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements, have become the backbone of the modern global economy. They are essential for powering electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, advanced electronics, aerospace technologies, and modern defense infrastructure. As countries accelerate their commitments toward decarbonization, digital transformation, and advanced manufacturing, demand for these strategic minerals has increased dramatically. However, unlike many traditional commodities, the supply chains for critical mi...
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The New Geopolitics of Minerals In the 20th century, oil shaped geopolitics. In the 21st century, critical minerals are assuming that role. Lithium powers electric vehicle batteries. Rare earth elements enable wind turbines, permanent magnets, and advanced defence systems. Cobalt, nickel, graphite, and titanium underpin clean energy storage, aerospace, and high-performance manufacturing. These materials are no longer niche industrial inputs; they are the foundation of the global energy transition and digital economy. As countries accelerate decarbonization and advanced manufacturing, control o...
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The term “rare earth elements” often creates the impression of extreme scarcity, metals hidden deep within the planet and difficult to find. In reality, the story is far more nuanced. Most rare earth elements (REEs) are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, in some cases more common than widely used industrial metals such as copper or lead. Their “rarity” does not stem from geological absence, but from the complexity of extracting, separating, refining, and processing them economically and responsibly. Today, rare earth elements sit at the center of modern technological progress. They powe...
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