A world once fighting over oil… is now fighting over metals

Trade & Border IssuesHot SpotsElectric VehiclesHigh Tech / High TouchAmerican Politics
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

🌎 A world once fighting over oil… is now fighting over metals.

There is a global battle over precious metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper because they are critical components used in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and electronic devices. As the world shifts towards a more sustainable and tech-driven future, demand for these metals has skyrocketed. This has led to intense competition among countries and companies to secure access to reliable sources of these metals. Previously, oil was the dominant resource in global conflicts due to its importance in the energy sector. However, the rise of new technologies and the push towards a greener economy has shifted the focus towards the battle for critical metals.

Read more from the Hill ▶

Featured
Final Phase of Rescue Mission Underway for Trapped Workers in Indian Tunnel Collapse
Final Phase of Rescue Mission Underway for Trapped Workers in Indian Tunnel Collapse

Indian authorities are embarking on the final phase of the rescue mission to save 41 construction workers trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel for over two weeks.

Trapped Himalayan Tunnel Workers Offer Glimpse of Hope Amidst Complex Rescue Efforts
Trapped Himalayan Tunnel Workers Offer Glimpse of Hope Amidst Complex Rescue Efforts

Dozens of men trapped inside a collapsed Himalayan tunnel for ten days have been seen in the first images captured by a camera fed through a pipe by rescuers.

Efforts Persist to Rescue 40 Trapped in Collapsed Indian Highway Tunnel
Efforts Persist to Rescue 40 Trapped in Collapsed Indian Highway Tunnel

Rescue efforts continued to reach 40 men trapped inside a collapsed highway tunnel in India's northern state of Uttarakhand for the fifth day.

Intensive Search Underway for Trapped Man in Collapsed Kentucky Coal Building
Intensive Search Underway for Trapped Man in Collapsed Kentucky Coal Building

Rescuers are intensively searching for a man trapped beneath the debris of a collapsed coal processing building in rural Kentucky, with hopes of finding him alive, despite one worker being declared dead in the incident.

Fatal Collapse at Eastern Kentucky Coal Plant Leaves One Worker Dead, Another Trapped
Fatal Collapse at Eastern Kentucky Coal Plant Leaves One Worker Dead, Another Trapped

Tragedy strikes as at least one worker has died and another remains trapped in the collapsed coal preparation plant in Eastern Kentucky.

Hostage Crisis Unfolds as South African Miners Held Underground Amid Union Dispute
Hostage Crisis Unfolds as South African Miners Held Underground Amid Union Dispute

Workers at a South African mine were held underground for three days in what the police are investigating as a hostage situation.

The Geopolitics of Critical Mineral Supply Chains: Navigating Global Resource Dependencies
The Geopolitics of Critical Mineral Supply Chains: Navigating Global Resource Dependencies

The growing importance of critical minerals for green energy, defense systems, and high-tech applications, coupled with supply chain vulnerabilities, is driving increased attention to diversify and secure these supply chains.

Pentagon Initiates Search for Chip-Mineral Gallium as China Restricts Export Access
Pentagon Initiates Search for Chip-Mineral Gallium as China Restricts Export Access

The Pentagon plans to issue its first contract to U.S. or Canadian companies by the end of 2023 to recover gallium, a crucial mineral used in semiconductors and military radar systems after China restricted its exports.

Deep Sea Mining's Alarming Impact on $5.5bn Tuna Industry
Deep Sea Mining's Alarming Impact on $5.5bn Tuna Industry

According to a recent study published in the journal Nature of Ocean Sustainability, deep-sea mining operations pose a significant threat to the $5.5 billion tuna industry.

Allegations of Dozens of Abuses Surface in Critical Minerals Supply Chain
Allegations of Dozens of Abuses Surface in Critical Minerals Supply Chain

A report released by the Business and Human Rights Resource Center sheds light on numerous labor and environmental abuses allegedly committed by Chinese-invested companies involved in mining and processing minerals used in renewable energy.

Implications and Potential Outcomes of Impending Deep Sea Mining Permits
Implications and Potential Outcomes of Impending Deep Sea Mining Permits

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), responsible for regulating the ocean floor, is set to resume negotiations on deep-sea mining permits.

Direct Lithium Extraction: The Electric Vehicle Industry's Shale Boom
Direct Lithium Extraction: The Electric Vehicle Industry's Shale Boom

The lithium industry is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies, which could revolutionize the supply of lithium from brine projects.

$1 Billion SPAC Deal Highlights Industry Shift
$1 Billion SPAC Deal Highlights Industry Shift

Appian Capital Advisory has successfully sold the Santa Rita nickel mine and Serrote copper-gold project in Brazil for a total of $1.065 billion.

Nevada Desert's Tabletop Flat, Vital for Satellite Calibration, Faces Opposition from NASA Regarding Lithium Mining
Nevada Desert's Tabletop Flat, Vital for Satellite Calibration, Faces Opposition from NASA Regarding Lithium Mining

Opposition to lithium mining in Nevada's desert comes not only from environmentalists and tribal leaders but also from an unexpected source: space.

US still losing the EV race after signing a mineral deal with Japan
US still losing the EV race after signing a mineral deal with Japan

Japan is aiming to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle (EV) space through a critical minerals trade deal with the United States.

South America's Lithium Triangle Enters a New Era
South America's Lithium Triangle Enters a New Era

Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, are experiencing a shift in their economies as lithium, a crucial element for renewable energy and electric vehicles, gains prominence.

Ensuring the diversification of critical mineral supply chains is crucial
Ensuring the diversification of critical mineral supply chains is crucial

The Biden administration's clean energy infrastructure projects, aimed at promoting clean energy and reducing emissions, face challenges related to the lack of domestic production of critical minerals and reliance on China for supply chains.

Albemarle, the leading global producer of lithium, is experiencing significant growth
Albemarle, the leading global producer of lithium, is experiencing significant growth

According to McKinsey & Co., the demand for lithium, a crucial component for electric vehicle batteries, is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, from 500,000 metric tons in 2021 to three million to four million metric tons within the next decade.

Are Critical Mineral Supplies Threatening the Progress of Renewable Projects?
Are Critical Mineral Supplies Threatening the Progress of Renewable Projects?

According to a report by insurance provider WTW, the progress of renewable energy projects is being hindered by downstream supply chain risks and the increasing costs of critical minerals.

Environmentalists Denounce Nevada Mining Bill
Environmentalists Denounce Nevada Mining Bill

Native Americans and progressive activists are protesting a pro-mining bill proposed by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto.

Apple Aims for 100% Recycled Cobalt in Batteries
Apple Aims for 100% Recycled Cobalt in Batteries

Apple has recently declared that by 2025, they will use 100% recycled cobalt in their batteries, as well as all their magnets to be made with recycled earth elements.

The UN Plans to Commence Deep-Sea Mining Operations this Summer
The UN Plans to Commence Deep-Sea Mining Operations this Summer

Companies interested in mining the ocean floor can now submit applications to the International Seabed Authority starting in July, following approval of the controversial practice despite significant pushback.

Cobalt Is the new blood diamond of the DRC
Cobalt Is the new blood diamond of the DRC

Cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a complex and challenging issue.

Nevada lithium mine faces environmentalist backlash
Nevada lithium mine faces environmentalist backlash

A U.S. judge has asked a federal agency to revisit part of its approval of the plans to create a Lithium Americas mine in Nevada, near the Oregon border.

Rare earth mining is underway in California’s Mojave Desert
Rare earth mining is underway in California’s Mojave Desert

While China still controls nearly 60% of the world‘s rare earth mining operations, the United States is looking to close the gap over the next decade.

A world once fighting over oil… is now fighting over metals
A world once fighting over oil… is now fighting over metals

There is a global battle over precious metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper because they are critical components used in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and electronic devices.

White House advisor warns that the U.S. has a long road ahead to catch up with China
White House advisor warns that the U.S. has a long road ahead to catch up with China

China currently dominates the rare earth and mineral production market, controlling the lion’s share of 60% globally.

The global race to find the next EV-mineral pot of gold
The global race to find the next EV-mineral pot of gold

Countries around the world are scrambling to mine critical rare earth minerals because they are essential components in the production of a wide range of clean energy technologies, including wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles.

Nevada to become home to $650M GM-sponsored lithium mine
Nevada to become home to $650M GM-sponsored lithium mine

General Motors is investing a whopping $650M into Canada-based Lithium Americas and creating a partnership to develop the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada.

Copper and gold mines blocked in Alaska by EPA
Copper and gold mines blocked in Alaska by EPA

In an extremely rare turn of events, the United States Environmental Protection Agency vetoed a project in remote southwest Alaska.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

U.S.-imposed vaccine mandate continues to block unvaccinated truck drivers from crossing the Canada-U.S. border
Next

Shein is in hot water with U.S. Senators over cotton sourced from China’s Xinjiang region