Critical minerals are a strategic area for governments, corporates, business leaders and the world at large as they are fundamental to the future clean energy economy. According to World Bank projections, over 3 billion tons of metals and minerals will be needed by 2050 to scale up wind, solar, geothermal power and energy storage to reach the net-zero targets. Critical minerals are in increased global demand and needed to support important manufacturing sectors such as:

  • communication technology
  • aerospace
  • national security
  • low carbon 
  • digital economy

Global Road Technology discusses the role of critical minerals in clean energy transitions focusing on what they are, global role players, projects and roles as well as the International Energy Agency plan of action. 

What are critical minerals? 

Critical minerals are metals and non-metals that are considered vital for the economic well-being of the world’s major and emerging economies, yet those whose supply may be at risk due to geological scarcity, geopolitical issues, trade policy amongst many other factors. They include rare earth elements and other metals such as:

  • lithium
  • aluminium
  • copper
  • cobalt
  • nickel
  • indium
  • tellurium
  • gallium
  • graphite
  • manganese

Who are the global role players in critical minerals?

Australia is one of the key countries that produces lithium, comfortably holding the majority share of the product for extraction. The Australian Government recently announced a $2 billion loan facility to support developing critical mineral projects in the drive for the new energy economy and support the resources jobs of the future. China holds the lion’s share of processing for nearly all critical minerals for energy transition technologies. Now China has an export-control law that it could use to restrict overseas purchases of key minerals and rare earths. So the US, Canada and Australia made an agreement known as the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative. The goal of the CMMI is to build a diversified supply of critical minerals in Australia, Canada and the USA whilst learning more through the country’s past and on-going efforts, and together, forge new knowledge that be applied across the three nations. In the USA, 35 mineral commodities deemed critical by the Department of Interior are 100% obtained from foreign sources. Canada is stamping its foot in playing an increasing role in producing critical minerals for world markets and is tireless working on becoming a preferred global supplier of critical minerals, products and technologies that are essential to building a net zero economy. 

What are the projections and role of critical minerals in the clean energy transitions?

Critical minerals will play a major role in the provision of a suite of new clean technologies required to replace the functionality of fossil fuels in meeting climate goals reports a major study performed by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The projections and roles of critical minerals in clean energy transitions will be as follows:

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  • Demand for minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, nickel and rare earths will rise by nearly 4 times by 2040.
  • Lithium dominates that growth in terms of magnitude.
  • Electric vehicles and network augmentations (mainly copper) dominate the demand sources of critical minerals.
  • Solar, wind and other low carbon generation only a fraction of total demand.
  • Lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite for batteries.
  • Rare earth elements for wind turbines and electric vehicle motors.
  • Copper, silicon and silver for solar p.v.
  • Copper and aluminium for electricity networks. 

What is the International Energy Agency’s plan of action?

There is a complex link amongst critical minerals, energy security, and the prospects for a sustainable, sequential yet rapid transformation of the energy sector and the IEA is liaising international coordination and due diligence. Building on the IEA’s leadership role in energy security, these key areas of action have been identified for critical minerals to enable an accelerated transition to clean energy: 

  • Ensure adequate investment in diversified sources of supply 
  • Promote technology innovation at all points along the value chain 
  • Scale-up recycling 
  • Enhance supply chain resilience and market transparency
  • Mainstream higher environmental, social and governance standards
  • Strengthen international collaboration between producers and consumers 

In conclusion

The key areas that will help realize the role of critical minerals in the clean energy transition include international cooperation through technology, research and development, regulatory policy and due diligence of all the stakeholders involved across the value chain. Critical minerals have a pivotal role to play in the clean energy transitions but that can only happen if the major players contribute to industrial reforms and transition to low-carbon technologies at every key stage of extraction, processing and supply of the critical minerals. 

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