Critical minerals

The exploitation of resource riches by unaccountable leaders is not the same as states stewarding mineral supplies for the benefit of their people, write Christopher Vandome and Tighisti Amare.

Risks emerging from shared infrastructure and data security are areas where UK registered companies need better guidance.

The US currently depends on China for crucial rare earth minerals and magnets. But its domestic electronic waste contains vast quantities of valuable magnets that could be reused and recycled to counter Beijing’s dominance.

To establish some measure of control of minerals supply, market-oriented governments are starting to directly invest in mining projects. Governments that don’t are placing their manufacturing sectors, energy security, and national defence at risk.

Islanders want to be in control of exploiting their zinc, copper and other resources in ways that benefit the community and protect its fragile environment, writes Patrick Schröder.

With their new economic bargaining power, countries with in-demand resources are challenging colonial-era assumptions about corruption and exploitation, writes Bronwen Everill.

The US is taking an encouragingly multilateral approach to secure scarce minerals for the industries of the future – but the scale of China’s dominance requires more cooperation still, writes Jose W Fernandez.

Rare earth elements are essential for the green transition but the accelerating geopolitical race to reduce dependence on China carries great environmental risks.

Chatham House staff and associate fellows engaged with national and industry leaders throughout Indaba 2026, the African mining event. 

The US has proved it is serious about creating a new mining and processing ecosystem. Now it must convince investors and industry that its policy will last for the next 10 years.

The US wants to establish supply chains for critical minerals free of Chinese control. Disrespecting sovereignty and international law will isolate the country from the partners it needs to achieve this ambition.

Chatham House experts highlight the crunch moments and potential flashpoints in the year ahead.

The government’s ambitions are welcome, but require dedicated leadership and international support in order to succeed. 

The Trump administration is unlikely to prioritize multilateral consensus but could embrace the forum as a dealmaking club.

Beijing’s dominance over supply chains will continue. But new US deals with Australia and across the region show rhetoric is now being matched by finance, aiming to take the sting out of any future export restrictions.

The major new initiative will study the key geopolitical, economic, and sustainability dynamics shaping global mineral supply chains.

China’s new rare earth export controls should galvanize the West to build resilience against China’s growing dominance in global manufacturing and its control over crucial supply chains.

The UK should coordinate with European partners and local communities to prioritize environmental safeguards while pursuing its strategic supply chain goals.

For some, helping Ukraine is not worth the possibility of war. But if Russia is allowed to continue unopposed, almost everything is at risk.

Beijing’s ability to prevent US access to rare earths puts Washington’s long-term strategic goals at risk.

Discussing the interplay between critical raw materials and geopolitics – and the challenges associated with extraction.

By exempting certain critical minerals from his latest tariffs, Trump has demonstrated the fragile interdependence underpinning modern industrial economies – and provided a wake-up call for the EU and UK.