Introduction
The transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy depends on the availability of certain resources essential to modern technology, known as transition minerals. These minerals play a key role in renewable energy production and energy storage. As the demand for clean energy increases, the relevance of transition minerals is also growing exponentially.
This article delves into the importance and challenges of transition minerals, analyzing which are considered critical and why they are indispensable for the decarbonization of the economy. It also details their origin, their role in the energy transition, and the strategies needed to ensure their long-term sustainability.
What are critical minerals in transition?
Critical minerals are important chemical elements for the energy transition, characterized by their scarcity and high economic importance. They are fundamental in clean technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. The most relevant include lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, graphite, titanium, and rare earths. The scarcity and geographic concentration of these resources make them significant pieces of the energy paradigm shift.
Main minerals of the energy transition and their use
Below, we discuss some of the main minerals of the energy transition and their specific role in the industry:
- Lithium: Used in lithium-ion batteries, it is essential for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Its ability to store large amounts of energy in a small space makes it a highly efficient resource.
- Cobalt: Also needed in batteries, cobalt increases the stability and durability of lithium-ion batteries. Its extraction, however, faces ethical and environmental problems, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which concentrates a large part of its world production.
- Nickel: This mineral, used in battery alloys and electronic components, contributes to charge stability in electric devices and vehicles.
- Rare earths: Fundamental for magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicle motors. Although their name suggests scarcity, the real difficulty lies in the complex extraction and processing processes.
- Copper: It is essential for manufacturing cell phones and for electrification.
- Graphite: Expected to be the most demanded mineral for energy storage technologies by 2050.
These minerals are the basis for renewable energies and, together, support an economy that prioritizes sustainability and low environmental impact.
Recent statistics
The growing demand for transition minerals is reflected in the following key statistics:
- Demand for lithium is projected to increase by more than 1,500% by 2050, with similar increases for nickel, cobalt, and copper.
- Latin America has 47% of the world’s lithium and 37% of copper reserves, making it a key region for the supply of these minerals.
Why are they crucial to the energy transition?
The transition to a decarbonized economy requires clean energy sources and efficient storage systems. To achieve this, renewable technologies depend on transition minerals. For example, lithium batteries have revolutionized energy storage, facilitating the development of electric vehicles and grid storage systems. Without these minerals, renewable energy production at scale would be unattainable, limiting progress towards a sustainable economy.
Challenges and considerations
One of the main challenges in the energy transition is sustainability in mining. As demand for these minerals increases, so does the pressure on ecosystems and local communities. The challenges are grouped into three main areas:
Environmental and social impact of mining
Mining, especially of minerals such as lithium and cobalt, can have serious environmental and social consequences. Lithium extraction, for example, requires large quantities of water, a scarce resource in areas such as the Salar de Atacama in Chile. In addition, cobalt mined in Africa has been linked to poor working conditions and child labor. These impacts have led the industry to consider sustainable mining practices that minimize negative effects through less invasive mining technologies, recycling programs, and improved mine waste management.
Geopolitical dependence and supply risk
The geographic concentration of transition minerals creates significant risks. China controls a large part of rare earth production, while Australia and Chile dominate lithium production. This dependence creates vulnerabilities in the supply chain, which could impact the stability of the energy industry. To reduce these risks, it is essential to diversify sources and develop alternative materials.
Social impact
It is essential to ensure that local communities benefit from the extraction of these resources and that their rights are respected, minimizing the negative social effects of mining. An example of this concept can be seen in the sustainable mining project in Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, one of the world’s largest lithium deposits.
In this case, the Bolivian government has implemented policies that prioritize the participation of local communities in mining activities. Part of these policies include employing local workers in the extraction and processing of lithium and allocating a proportion of the revenues generated to improve infrastructure and basic services in nearby communities.
In addition, agreements have been established with indigenous communities to ensure that mining activities respect their culture, traditions, and territorial rights. These agreements also ensure that communities are consulted on important project decisions, an approach that is in line with the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), internationally recognized as an essential practice in respecting indigenous rights.
This model seeks not only to minimize the negative impacts of mining but also to create a direct and lasting benefit for local populations, promoting economic development that also contributes to the social and cultural well-being of the communities.
Opportunities to improve sustainability and efficiency in the use of critical minerals
Despite the challenges, there are opportunities to improve mining sustainability and ensure the future availability of these minerals:
Circular economy and mineral recycling
One of the most promising strategies to address the growing demand is recycling. With the increase in electronic waste and end-of-life electric vehicles, recycling minerals such as lithium and cobalt is becoming a viable alternative. The circular economy makes it possible to recover these resources, reducing the need for new mining and the associated environmental impacts.
Innovation in alternative materials
Researchers and companies are exploring alternative materials to reduce dependence on certain minerals. For example, alternatives to cobalt are being investigated in lithium-ion batteries, using more abundant and less conflict-prone materials. Innovation in this field is essential to reduce supply risks and move towards a sustainable energy transition.
New extraction technologies
New extraction techniques also play an important role. Less invasive technologies, such as brine mining to extract lithium or ocean mining, could offer new sources of minerals for the transition. However, these techniques still face regulatory and environmental challenges that will require investment and development to become viable solutions.
For more information on the subject I invite you to watch the video courtesy of Real Engineering on ‘New extraction technologies’, specifically ocean mining.
The future of transition minerals in the decarbonization of the economy and long-term prospects
As we move towards a low-carbon world, transition minerals are increasingly important. However, it is crucial to address supply and sustainability challenges to ensure that decarbonization of the economy does not depend on unsustainable practices. Collaboration between governments, companies, and communities is key to building a resilient and environmentally friendly supply chain.
In the long term, countries committed to net-zero emissions targets will see increasing demand for these minerals. This underscores the importance of policies that promote sustainability and reduce dependence on critical minerals. Innovations in energy storage and alternative materials will reduce pressure on these minerals, enabling a truly sustainable renewable energy economy.
Conclusion
Transition minerals are necessary for the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy; however, growing demand presents significant challenges in terms of sustainability, supply, and ethics. The mining industry, governments, and civil society organizations must work together to ensure that the extraction and use of these key minerals are sustainable and responsible.
By implementing sustainable mining practices, encouraging recycling, and developing alternative materials, we can build a future in which clean technology truly contributes to a decarbonization of the economy that respects the planet’s limits.
Learn how transition minerals are driving a sustainable future!
References
- Revista Nueva Sociedad. “El proyecto estatal del litio en Bolivia. Expectativas, desafíos y dilemas”.
- IGF. “Minerales críticos y transición energética”
- Repsol. “Publicación del 1er Informe del Observatorio de Minerales Críticos para la Transición Energética”
- UNCTAD. “Equity and justice key to resourcing the energy transition, UN panel says”
- Naciones Unidas. “Cepal analizó los desafíos de la extracción de minerales críticos para la transición energética durante el Foro de los Países de América Latina y el Caribe sobre Desarrollo Sostenible 2023”
Loading...
