Informations

The accelerating shift to low-carbon energy systems has elevated the importance of a group of often-overlooked materials. These elements—ranging from bulk metals to rare earths—are essential to technologies such as wind turbines, electric vehicles, energy storage and grid modernization. Understanding the risks surrounding their supply is vital for policymakers, industry leaders and investors who aim […]

The mining industry is uniquely sensitive to commodity cycles. When sudden price spikes occur they can trigger a chain of decisions that reshape the trajectory of mine development for decades. This article examines how transient market shocks interact with geological realities, capital constraints, regulatory environments and corporate strategy to influence long-term outcomes for mines, host

The global transition to high-performance technologies increasingly depends on a narrow set of mineral resources. Research into critical mineral substitution in advanced materials is therefore central to enabling resilient, low-carbon, and affordable technologies. This article surveys the scientific strategies, experimental approaches, and technological pathways being developed to reduce reliance on constrained mineral supplies while preserving

The global architecture of mineral processing and refinement is undergoing a profound reconfiguration. As nations reassess their economic and security priorities, the old maps of where ores are mined and where metals are refined are being redrawn. This article examines how contemporary tensions and alliances reshape the geography of mineral refinement, the policy and commercial

The global market for high-purity quartz is undergoing a period of rapid transformation as technological demand, geopolitical shifts, and environmental pressures reshape supply chains and production methods. High-purity quartz, a form of high-grade silica with extremely low levels of metallic and trace impurities, is a critical material for advanced electronics, optics, and energy technologies. This

The global demand for batteries, electric vehicles and portable electronics has placed the metal cobalt at the center of intense industrial and ethical scrutiny. This article examines the complex web of social, environmental and corporate responsibilities that surround modern mining and supply chain practices. By unpacking the most pressing concerns — from child labor and

The prospect of extracting minerals from the deep seafloor has captured the attention of industry, governments and scientists. Yet beneath the waves lies a web of living systems that are poorly understood, exceptionally fragile and deeply interwoven with global processes. This article explores how seabed ecosystems complicate the ambition of large-scale deep-sea mining—highlighting ecological complexity,

The global mining sector is undergoing a profound transformation as firms integrate advanced technologies to extract and process mineral resources more effectively. This article examines the relationship between mining automation and mineral productivity, exploring the technological drivers, operational impacts, economic trade-offs, and broader environmental and social implications. By focusing on practical examples and evidence-based considerations,

The global conversation about minerals essential for modern technology increasingly centers on the often-misunderstood category known as rare earths. Despite their name, these elements are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, yet their extraction, processing, and distribution present complex challenges. This article examines the difference between reported global reserves and the projections frequently cited by

Commodity supercycles reshape global markets in profound ways, and their effects on the prices of rare minerals are particularly significant. This article explores how extended periods of elevated commodity demand and disrupted supply dynamics transmit through the value chain, altering investment patterns, incentivizing innovation, and reshaping geopolitics. By examining the mechanisms that link broad commodity