They don’t call them ‘critical minerals’ for nothing. Cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel and the tongue-twisting array of rare earth elements (REEs) are the foundation of the 21st century economy.
Without sufficient supply, there will be no digital transformation, no green transformation and none of the technologies that are already part of everyday life.
Global demand for these raw materials is expected to more than double over the next five years. Shortages are expected. The International Energy Agency estimates that current mining plans will not allow us to meet the target of net zero global emissions by 2050.
