ENERGY MINERALS

"Demand for critical energy minerals could increase almost 1,000% by 2050"

The US is looking to engage with other "resource-rich countries" to reduce its reliance on China for critical energy minerals under a new Energy Resource Governance Initiative.

Staff reporter
"Demand for critical energy minerals could increase almost 1,000% by 2050"

It follows the release of a rare earth strategy two weeks ago to reduce the US' vulnerability to supply disruptions, as attention recently turned to China's dominance of supply as trade tensions between the two countries continue.

The ERG initiative is being led by the US State Department and Bureau of Energy and Resources and aims to engage other countries on "responsible minerals governance", support resilient supply chains and meet the expected demand for clean energy technologies.

"Demand for critical energy minerals could increase almost 1,000% by 2050, straining the capacity of many countries to increase supply," the State Department said in a fact sheet on the initiative.

"Over 80% of the global supply chain of rare earth elements, important minerals for electric vehicles and wind turbine components, is controlled by one country.

"Other minerals have similar supply constraints. Reliance on any one source increases the risk of supply disruptions."

Meanwhile, China has reportedly started a survey of rare earth resources this week in seven districts including Inner Mongolia and Sichuan province.

It comes as China saw a 16% monthly drop in rare earth exports in May due to an increased focus on conserving domestic resources and high-quality development of commodities, local media reported.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.