As the world tries to wean itself off fossil fuels and on to renewable energy, a new mineral frontier is emerging to build the technology needed. But some old problems endure. Certain countries with exploitable reserves of ‘green metals’ may not be strong enough to avoid the ‘resource curse’ as demand rockets. China has a tight grip on the market. Global North businesses dominate mining. And many minerals are far from ‘clean’ themselves.
Renewable energy is hungry for minerals
Compared to petrol transport and hydrocarbon power, renewable energy technology consumes many more minerals.
