Exploration and manipulation of global mineral resources in contemporary international politics

The world is witnessing a renewed focus on critical minerals, with countries vying for control of these essential resources. This race for minerals, such as lithium, rare earths, cobalt, and nickel, is shaping up to be a significant geostrategic maneuver.

At the forefront of nickel production is the Philippines, accounting for over 10 percent of global production, often accompanied by cobalt as a byproduct. Meanwhile, Australia holds extensive resources of these minerals, making it a key player in non-Chinese critical mineral supply.

Africa stands to benefit significantly from this renewed focus, offering substantial economic opportunities. For instance, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) offers the U.S. access to its mineral resources in exchange for military assistance, an important step toward diversification given Chinese companies' presence in DRC mines. Tanzania, too, has multiple mines under development for battery markets, while Madagascar possesses high-quality graphite and its Ambatovy mine is one of the world's largest nickel and cobalt operations.

Elsewhere, Afghanistan is speculated to have significant lithium deposits, while Russia possesses vast reserves of rare earths. Brazil ranks among the top globally with approximately 21 million metric tons of rare earth reserves, and Vietnam holds around 22 million metric tons, developing a vertically integrated rare earth magnet supply chain.

Chile holds the world's largest lithium reserves and plans to nationalize its lithium industry, a move that could disrupt global supply chains. On the other hand, Mongolia and Central Asia are richly endowed with critical and strategic minerals, though much of their potential remains underexplored.

This global scramble for critical minerals could trigger a series of events. The U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement aims to weaken China's minerals supply dominance and bolster America's own technological and military supply chains. This agreement could lead to increased defense spending among allied European nations and partners, likely spent on American weapons technology.

European governments have begun increasing their support for African mining projects to diversify their global critical mineral supply sources. Turkey boasts significant chromite production and has discovered rare earth elements in central Anatolia, adding to Europe's potential mineral resources.

Kazakhstan, the most mineral-rich Central Asian state, contains rare earth elements in phosphorite ores and coal ash deposits, though commercial production is currently limited. Mexico has large lithium deposits, notably in Sonora, and India has launched a multi-pronged strategy to acquire and source critical minerals worldwide.

The agreement seeks to deepen the EU's dependence on U.S.-developed critical minerals, rare earths, and energy exports. However, for the agreement to succeed without escalating tensions with Europe, the U.S. would need to ensure transparent governance in Ukraine and address environmental and labor concerns.

In conclusion, the race for critical minerals is reshaping geopolitics, with countries seeking to secure these vital resources. This scramble could lead to increased competition, potential conflicts, and the need for international cooperation to ensure sustainable and ethical mining practices.

Exploration and manipulation of global mineral resources in contemporary international politics