Critical minerals are strategically vital as they serve as the foundation for modern economies and technologies. They are essential for economic growth, national security, and the global shift to clean energy. These minerals are crucial in producing high-tech devices, renewable energy infrastructure, defense systems, and advanced manufacturing, making their reliable and secure supply a key priority for governments around the world(“Critical Minerals List Expansion,” 2025).
Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths are essential to technologies such as EVs, solar panels, and defense systems, with no easy substitutes. Their role in economic growth, energy security, and clean energy makes stable supply chains a global priority. Heavy reliance on a few countries, particularly China, raises geopolitical risks and supply concerns. As demand surges, nations are investing in diversification, innovation, and recycling to secure access and support the transition to net-zero(Critical Minerals, Policy and Legislation, n.d.).
What are the biggest challenges in securing a stable supply of these vital resources? Comment below!
References:
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Critical Minerals List Expansion: Strategic Resource Security Explained. (2025, August 27). Discovery Alert. https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/critical-minerals-strategic-importance-2025/
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Critical Minerals, Policy and Legislation. (n.d.). SFA (Oxford). Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://www.sfa-oxford.com/lithox/critical-minerals-policy-legislation/
