Critical Minerals
Implications of Energy Transition on Increased Demand for Critical Minerals and the Impacts on Markets, Trade, Security, Communities, Geopolitics, Prices, and Technology Development
Implications of Energy Transition on Increased Demand for Critical Minerals and the Impacts on Markets, Trade, Security, Communities, Geopolitics, Prices, and Technology Development
The current energy transformations now occurring globally—towards increased electrification, and low-carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles, fuel cells, wind turbines and solar photovoltaics (PV) rely on significant quantities of minerals and metals. The implications of increasing mineral demand has broad ramifications that go well beyond the energy and extractives sector.
Background
Calls for increases in renewable energy are coming from many global stakeholders. Less understood are the significant quantities of minerals that will be needed to fuel that transition. Examples include the rare earths neodymium and dysprosium for magnets in high-efficiency motors; lithium, cobalt, nickel and vanadium in energy storage; and platinum-group elements in catalysts and fuel cells. To supply the necessary minerals the mining industry is confronted with numerous challenges related to environment, innovation, investment, social license to operate among others.
Additionally, (or most) of the countries with the largest potentials (and existing markets) for these minerals are emerging and developing economies. This creates further concerns around governance and a changing geopolitical landscape. How this changing demand affects markets, trade, security, geopolitics, prices, and technology development are key questions to that require further exploration.
As one of the leading energy engineering universities in the world, Colorado School of Mines and the Payne Institute is facilitating an integrated approach to the technical and policy challenges related to these Critical Minerals. Through research and collaboration with industry, government and other stakeholders, Mines is providing research and data to support decision-making and further consideration of the topic.
Waste to Market Working Group
Access Critical Minerals Data and Analysis
For more information about the Critical Minerals Initiative at the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Greg Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.
CRITICAL MINERALS INITIATIVE SPONSORS
Freeport McMoRan
Vale
CRITICAL MINERALS WORKGROUP SPONSOR
ElementUSA
The Rockefeller Foundation
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‘A constant problem’: Abandoned mines causing sinkholes, other incidents across the country 10/6/2026
‘A constant problem’: Abandoned mines causing sinkholes, other incidents across the country
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Paul Santi contributed to this article about how some of the scars of America’s mining past are now appearing: dangerous sinkholes and abandoned mine shafts opening up across the country due to infrastructure that is eroding away. October 6, 2026.
Fragile Supply Chains Threaten U.S. Submarine Production 10/1/2026
Fragile Supply Chains Threaten U.S. Submarine Production
Payne Institute Senior Research Fellow Lieutenant Colonel Jahara Matisek, Macdonald Amoah, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how submarine production falters when a fragile industrial base cannot deliver the specialized castings, forgings, ceramics, magnetics, steels, and acoustic coatings that nuclear safety and acoustic stealth demand. October 1, 2026.
The Most Vulnerable Mineral in America’s Arsenal Costs Three Dollars a Kilogram 9/29/2026
The Most Vulnerable Mineral in America’s Arsenal Costs Three Dollars a Kilogram
Payne Institute Fellows Alex Gilbert and Matt Isler, and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how the U.S. Geological Survey published the results of a stress test on the American industrial base, and at the top sat samarium, a rare earth element. September 29, 2026.
Global Inventory of Advanced Rare Earth Element Assets 9/29/2026
Global Inventory of Advanced Rare Earth Element Assets
Payne Institute Fellow Andrew Gulley and Graham Lederer write about how the status of rare earth assets around the globe is changing rapidly. The Global Inventory, date-stamped April 2026, summarizes: operational rare earth element (REE) assets, mine projects with reported resources or reserves, mine projects that have received significant U.S. government funding, and advanced facilities for processing, cracking, separation, smelting, metallization, alloying, and magnet production. September 29, 2026.
Payne Institute’s State of Critical Minerals report lays out steps to secure U.S. and Allied supply chains 9/24/2026
Payne Institute’s State of Critical Minerals report lays out steps to secure U.S. and Allied supply chains
The Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines’ new report, The State of Critical Minerals Report 2026, highlights the fundamental and growing role of U.S and allied governments in ensuring success on critical minerals security. September 24, 2026.
THE STATE OF CRITICAL MINERALS REPORT 2026 9/24/2026
The State of Critical Minerals Report 2026
The Payne Institute for Public Policy has released its fourth annual State of Critical Minerals Report. These reports, which accompany our annual symposium, seek to provide insights into the complex and deeply interconnected topics surrounding critical minerals. September 24, 2026.
From magnets to high-tech steel and nuclear fuel recycling, Mines researchers drive innovation in how we use critical minerals 9/24/2026
From magnets to high-tech steel and nuclear fuel recycling, Mines researchers drive innovation in how we use critical minerals
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jenifer Shafer is featured in this article about how critical minerals are ultimately deemed critical for one reason: They’re essential to the fabrication and manufacturing of important products. September 24, 2026.
Is “Dr. Copper” becoming less reliable? 9/21/2026
Is “Dr. Copper” becoming less reliable?
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Ian Lange contributed to this article about how the price of copper usually tells us a lot about the future of global economic growth. But recent developments could make it less accurate as an economic indicator. September 21, 2026.
US-Canada Cooperation on Critical Minerals Is at a Crossroads 9/15/2026
US-Canada Cooperation on Critical Minerals Is at a Crossroads
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian and Senior Research Fellow Robert Johnston write about how escalating US-Canada trade tensions threaten a deeply integrated critical minerals supply chain that neither country can easily replace. September 15, 2026.
What’s Behind a U.S. Company’s Buy of a Brazilian Miner? 9/11/2026
What’s Behind a U.S. Company’s Buy of a Brazilian Miner?
Payne Institute Critical Minerals Research Associate Isabel Guajardo and Faculty Fellow Ian Lange contributed to this article about how shareholders of USA Rare Earth approved the company’s acquisition of Brazilian rare-earth miner Serra Verde on August 28. September 11, 2026.
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