IncollaborationwithMcKinsey&CompanySecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransitionWHITEPAPERDECEMBER2023Images:GettyImagesContentsExecutivesummary3Introduction:Energytransitionisatriskofcriticalmineralsundersupply41Riskcharacterization62Addressingtherisks83Theneedforglobalcollaboration104Themesforcollaborativeaction11Conclusion13Contributors14Endnotes16DisclaimerThisdocumentispublishedbytheWorldEconomicForumasacontributiontoaproject,insightareaorinteraction.Thefindings,interpretationsandconclusionsexpressedhereinarearesultofacollaborativeprocessfacilitatedandendorsedbytheWorldEconomicForumbutwhoseresultsdonotnecessarilyrepresenttheviewsoftheWorldEconomicForum,northeentiretyofitsMembers,Partnersorotherstakeholders.©2023WorldEconomicForum.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,includingphotocopyingandrecording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem.SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition2December2023SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransitionExecutivesummaryTheworldisonanambitiouspathtodecarbonizeintensity;mobilizeinvestment;leveragealternativeandachievenet-zeroemissions.However,criticalfinancing;increasedatatransparency;addressmineralsessentialforkeyemissions-reductionpriceuncertainty;increasevalue-addforlocaltechnologiesmaybeinshortsupplyby2030.communities;encouragedialogueonpolicydesign;accelerateinnovation;addresslackofconsistencyHistoricalunderinvestmentinminingandamongmining-relatedenvironmental,socialandexploration,aswellassupplychaindisruptions,governance(ESG)standards;andstreamlineminingarealreadycreatingdemand-supplygaps.Soprojects’approval.Theyareessentialforcreatingaarelengthyleadtimesbetweenexplorationandmoreresilientandsustainableminingindustrythatproduction,ontopofthefactthatoftenthesecanmeetthegrowingdemandforcriticalmineralsmineralshavecomplexorebodies,makingtheminaresponsibleandequitablemanner.difficultandcostlytoextract.Ifcurrenttrendshold,manyminerals’supplymayfallshortofdemandbyEffectiveriskmanagementrequiresstakeholders2030,potentiallyjeopardizingshort-termclimatetocollectivelyreduceandadapttosupply-chaingoalsanddrivingfurtherpricevolatility.risks.GlobalcollaborationcanraiseawarenessanddriveactiontotacklethedisparityinthesupplyItiscrucialtoidentifyandunderstandkeysupply-anddemandofcriticalminerals.Onthecontrary,chainriskstomanagetheminerals-relatedisolatedeffortsbygovernments,theprivatesectorobstaclesfortheenergytransition.Twotypesandnon-profitorganizationsareunlikelytoaddressofrisksareassociatedwiththesupply-demandtheenergytransitionchallenge.Collaborationgapofcriticalminerals:(i)risksassociatedwithisnecessarytounifyefforts,mitigateregionaltheinabilitytoclosethesupply-demandgapandimbalancesandensuresufficientandequitable(ii)risksassociatedwiththeeffortstoclosethesupplyofcriticalminerals.supply-demandgap.Bothcouldsignificantlydelaytheenergytransition.TheserisksthreatentodisruptThekeythemesforglobalcollaborationincludethesupplychainbeyondtheminingandmetalsfacilitatingpolicydialogue,supportinginvestmentindustry,delaytheenergytransition,andhavemobilization,acceleratinginnovation,evaluatingdeleterioussocialandenvironmentaloutcomes.gapsinexistingESGstandards,andbuildingcapabilitiesacrossthevaluechain.ThisreportdivesThisreportidentifies10high-priorityriskintothecriticalroleofthreeprioritycollaborativemanagementstrategiesforthesekeyminerals.actions–facilitatingpolicydialogue,supportingThesestrategiesaredesignedto:reduceresourceinvestmentmobilizationandacceleratinginnovation.SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition3IntroductionAsclimateambitionrisesgloballyandtheenergytransitionaccelerates,thesupplyofcriticalmineralsisexpectedtofallshortofdemandby2030.TheworldhasembarkedonanambitiousUndercurrentprojections,thesupplyofcriticaldecarbonizationjourneytowardsnet-zeroemissionscommoditiesisexpectedtobeinsufficienttotargets.Thistransitionwillrequirefundamentalmeettherisingdemand.Theconsumptionoftechnologyshiftsacrossindustriesatanmineralsandmetalscomesinahistoricalcontextunprecedentedspeed.Eachofthekeylow-carbonofunderinvestmentinmineralexplorationandabatementtechnologiesandenergysolutionsreliesmining.Inthelast10years,theratioofglobalonmineralsandmetals,andtheconsumptionofcapitalexpendituretorevenuedecreasedtotheserawmaterialsissettowitnessasignificantlessthan10%comparedto15%inthepreviousincreaseoverthenextdecade.decade.1Moreover,theminingsupplychainfacedincreasingchallenges,suchascomplexorebodies,AccordingtotheInternationalEnergyAgencydecreasinggradesaswellasdisruptions.These(IEA)’sAnnouncedPledgesScenario,demandforchallenges,aswellaslongleadtimesbetweencriticalmineralsforcleanenergytechnologieswillexplorationandmineralproductionthatcannotgrowmorethantwo-foldby2030.Cleanerenergyeasilybecompressed,makeitdifficulttospeedupinfrastructure,suchaswindpowerandbatterydevelopment.Withoutfurtheraction,thesupplyelectricvehicles(BEVs)thatusemorecriticalmineralofcommoditiessuchascopper,nickel,lithium,componentsthanthelegacyenergyinfrastructure,cobaltandrareearthelements(REEs)maynotbewilldependonthesupplyofcriticalminerals.sufficienttomeetthe2030demand(Figure1).2FIGURE1Anticipatedsupply-demandgapundertheIEA’sAnnouncedPledgesScenarioMegatonCopperKilotonLithium35+8%AnnouncedNetzero700AnnouncedNetzero30PledgesScenarioemissionsby600+6%PledgesScenarioemissionsby252050scenario5002050scenario20demand400demand1530010200-16%100Megaton5Kiloton00AnnouncedNetzero2030AnnouncedNetzero2030PledgesScenarioemissionsbysupplyPledgesScenarioemissionsbysupply2050scenario2050scenariodemandCobaltdemandNickel3506+6%3005250200415010032501020300supply2030supplySupply-demandgapinanAnnouncedPledgesScenario.Note:Expectedsupplyby2030atcurrentpaceofproduction;Expecteddemandin2030underAnnouncedPledgesScenario.Source:IEA,CriticalMineralsMarketReview2023.Shortageswouldleadtosignificantpricespikesand–Sustainability:Anenergysystemthatisvolatilityacrossminerals,whichinturnwouldmakeconsumption-consciousanddecarbonized,thekeytechnologiesmoreexpensive.supportingtheambitionofacleanerandlesspollutedearthforcurrentandfuturegenerations.Inthecomingdecades,itwillbecrucialtosecureareliablesupplyofenergy-transitionmineralstoTheWorldEconomicForum’sSecuringMineralssupportthethreedimensionsoftheenergytriangle:fortheEnergyTransition(SMET)initiativehasbeenworkingonidentifyingtherisksthatwill–Security:Areliable,uninterruptedandemergeifcriticalminerals’supplylagsdemand,evolvingenergysystemthatcanwithstandandformulatingpriorityriskmanagementandrespondtosupply-demanddynamicsandstrategies(Box1).Theinitiativehasalsobeenrecoverrapidlyfromdisruptions.focusedonbuildingcollaborationandconnectionsbetweenrelevantstakeholderstoswiftlymobilize–Equity:Anenergysysteminwhichenergyisfairlyactionandraiseawarenesstoaddressthedistributed,accessibleandaffordable;asystemsupply-demandimbalance.inwhichsustainabilityinitiatives(andbenefits)aresharedtoenableinclusive,equitableeconomicgrowthandimprovedstandardsofliving.BOX1ObjectivesoftheSMETinitiativeTheSecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition2.Conveneglobalstakeholdersinacommon(SMET)initiativehastwoobjectives:efforttosupportasecure,equitableandsustainablesupplyofmineralsessentialforthe1.Identifyandcharacterizestrategiesfortheenergytransition.collectivemanagementofrisksfromthesupply-demandgapincriticalmineralsneededSMETisaninitiativeoftheWorldEconomicintheenergytransition.ForuminpartnershipwithMcKinsey&Companyastheknowledgepartner,andadiversegroupofinternationalandprivatesectororganizations.SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition51RiskcharacterizationIdentifyingandunderstandingkeyrisksacrossmultipledimensionsiscrucialtomanagepotentialobstaclesfortheenergytransition.Twotypesofrisksareevident:(i)risksassociatedontheirpotentialimpactontheecosystemandthewiththeinabilitytoclosethesupply-demandgap,likelihoodoftheiroccurrence.Althoughseveralrisksand(ii)risksassociatedwitheffortstoclosethecouldaffecttheecosystem,onlythemostrelevantsupply-demandgap,bothofwhichthreatentooneswereconsideredfortheprioritylist.significantlydelaytheenergytransition.TheSMETinitiativehasexploredecosystemrisks,namely,risksThesepriorityrisksspanfivecategories,chosennotonlytotheprimarystakeholdersinthevalueinlinewiththePESTELframework,3consideringchain(suchasrawmineralsuppliers,technologypolitical,economic,social,technologicalandproducers,originalequipmentmanufacturers(OEMs)environmentalriskdimensions.Forlikelihoodtoandintermediaries)butalsosecondarystakeholdershappen,“low”representedariskthatisnotlikely(includingconsumers,governmentsandthewidertohappenand“extremelyhigh”ariskthatisverysocietyandtheenvironment).likelytooccur.Forimpactontheecosystem,“low”representedaminorimpactand“extremelyhigh”TheSMETinitiativehasidentifiedandprioritizedrepresentedacatastrophicimpactonhumantheserisksthroughworkshopswithadiversegrouplivesorsociety.Therisksarelikelytodifferacrossofstakeholders,includinginternationalorganizationsgeographiesandtime.ThemainrisksidentifiedandprivatesectorcompaniesfromacrossthevalueandscoredaresummarizedinFigure2,acrossthechain.Theparticipantsassessedtherisksbasedlikelihood-impactmatrix.FIGURE2EcosystemrisksfromthesupplydemandimbalanceofcriticalmaterialsImpact1ExtremelyCatastrophicLackofpoliticalwillforDelayofthehighclimateeventstheenergytransitionenergytransitionHighConflictoverresourcesReputationalHigherenvironmentalpressureonMediumdamageforecosystemsandwastegenerationJoblossesincaseenergytransitionofmaterialsshortageHigherdemandforresourcesIncreasingresourcefromincreasedminingBacklashinadoptingESGtargetsnationalismnewtechnologiesbecomingCascadingrenewableunattainabletechnologyshortagesSupplychainLackofaccesstofragmentationReducedMarketvolatilityIncreasingtradeRisingnewcapitaltoaddressresponsibleanduncertaintyfragmentationtechnologypricestheimbalanceminingResourcesusedforclimatechangeIncreaseinadaptationinsteadofmitigationartisanalandillegalminingReducedSetbacksinsocio-economicRegulatoryracetotheStockpilingofcriticalmineralsLowincentivesfornewminingprojectsaccesstodevelopmentinproducingbottomasinvestmentGeopoliticalrisksdisruptingmaterialsvaluechainsLoweracceptanceofminingprojectsenergyandcountriesforcedtoleapfrogflowstocountrieswithPressuresinsubstitutematerialsupplychainsUncoordinatedlandusetransporttraditionalformoreexpensivelowerESGstandardsservicestechnologiesIncreasedworkforcepressureforproductivityoverwell-beingLowLikelihood2LowMediumHighExtremelyhighSecondaryrisk(cannotbedirectlyaddressedinthevaluechain).Highestlikelihoodandimpactrisks.PoliticalEconomicSocialTechnologicalEnvironmentalNote:1.Impactontheecosystem:“Low”representsminorimpactand“Extremelyhigh”representscatastrophicimpactonhumanlives,societiesandtheplanet.2.Likelihoodtohappen:“Low”representsariskthatisnotlikelytocometopassand“Extremelyhigh”ariskthatisverylikelytooccur.Source:Riskidentificationbasedoninsightsfromriskcharacterizationworkshop,“SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition”,andMcKinseyanalysis.AssessmentstructurefromWorldEconomicForumGlobalRisksReport2017.Therisksidentifiedintheworkshoparerenamedandplacedinthematrixbasedontheassessment.2AddressingtherisksEffectiveriskmanagementnecessitatesconcertedeffortsbyallstakeholderstocollectivelyreduceandadapttorisks.Properriskmitigationneedscoordinatedefforts.Riskcanbeleveragedbylocalgovernmentsandmanagementstrategiesmustproactivelyidentify,industryleaderstoincreasetransparency,assessandmitigatesupply-demandimbalances,reducerisksandenhanceclimatefinanceensuringasmootherandmoreresilienttransitionreadiness.Examplesofalternativefinancingtowardsasustainableenergyfuture.Whileeffortsinstrumentsincludeconcessionalandblendedarecurrentlyontomanagesupplyrisksacrosskeyfinance,impactinvestingandgreenbonds.geographiesandminerals,morecoordinatedactionisneededandatanacceleratedpace.4.Increasedatatransparencyonsupplyanddemand.Thetop10high-prioritystrategiesselectedforImproveddatatransparencyintheminingimplementationare:industryandcriticalmineralsupplychainscanhelpstakeholdersmakewell-informeddecisions1.Decreasetheresourceintensityofminingtosecurecriticalminerals.Sharingaccurateactivitieswhileimprovingresourceandup-to-dateinformationonsupplyandefficiencyandreuse.demanddynamicscanenablestakeholderstoTheenvironmentalimpactofminingoperationstakeproactivemeasuresthataddresspotentialcanbereducedbyadoptingmoresustainableshortagesorexcessesofcriticalminerals.Thispracticesthatminimizetheconsumptionofcanincludemineraltrackingsystemsthroughoutnaturalresourcessuchasmineralsandwater.thesupplychaintopredictfuturedemandThisinvolvesemployingefficienttechnologiesandtrends.Collaborativeplatformsforsharingglobalimplementingclosed-loopsystemstoextract,andnationaldemanddataformineralscanalsoprocessandreuseminerals.Someexamplesincreasetransparency.includeadoptingcircularitymodelssuchasurbanmining(e.g.extractingcriticalmineralslikeREEs5.Addresspriceuncertaintyduetolimitedfromend-of-lifeelectronics),reducingwastebyinformation.extractingmorefromlower-qualityoresthroughThecreationofstabletradingrelationshipscanleachingtechnologies,andthecreationofaaddresspriceuncertainty.Stakeholderscansecondarymarketforcriticalminerals.4usefinancialinstrumentslikehedgingstrategies,orexplorelong-termcontractstoprovide2.Mobilizeinternationalprivateandgreaterpricestabilityforbothproducersandinstitutionalinvestmentforthetransition.consumers.Further,thereisaneedforpriceInvestmentfromprivateandinstitutionaltransparencymeasuressuchasfacilitatingsourcescanincreasethesupplyofcriticalgreateruseofspotpricingtransactions,mineralstosupportthetransition.Withoutparticularlyinthosemineralmarketswherethesufficientfinancing,technologicalinnovationsinformationiscoveredinlong-term,undisclosedthatfacilitateexploration,miningproductivitycommercialagreementsandofftakecontractsandefficiency,andprocessingandrecyclingbetweenbuyersandsellers.processes,areunlikelytobridgethesupply-demandgapforcriticalminerals.6.Increasevalue-addforlocalcommunities.FurtherinvestmentscanbeencouragedbyMiningcompaniescantakestepstoreduceinstitutionalizingESGprinciplesinforeigntheimpactthatlanduse,extractionandinvestmentsandthroughdigitalplatformspollutionhaveonnature,whileincreasingthethatconnectresponsibleinvestorstosocio-economicbenefitsoftheirprojects.responsibleprojects.Whenbeginningnewprojectsandexpandingcurrentoperations,miningcompaniescan3.Leveragealternativefinancinginstrumentsfostersustainabledevelopmentthroughjobsinchallengingmarkets.5andskillscreation,localdevelopmentandtheAlternativefinancinginstruments(i.e.financialpromotionofequalityandinclusion.Thiswillproductsandservicesthataredesignedtorequirecollaborationbetweencompaniesandraisecapitaloutsideoftraditionalchannels)cangovernmentstoidentifystrategicprioritiesforreduceinvestorrisks,especiallyformarketswithlocalsocio-economicdevelopment.limitedfinancereadiness.TheseinstrumentsSecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition87.Encouragingdialogueonpolicydesign.9.AddressthelackofconsistencyamongPolicy-makersmustfosteraconduciveminingESGstandards.environmentforinvestmentinthemineralsHarmonizedregionalandinternationalminingneededfortheenergytransitionandtoESGstandardscanhelpcreatealevelplayingensureequitableandlong-termaccess.Theyfieldforcompanies.Toachievethis,itismustconsidertheinterconnectednessofimportanttoharmonizeexistingframeworksenvironmental,socialandeconomicfactorstoremoveroadblocksinESGperformance,whenformulatingregulations.Aholistic,reportingandtracking.Thesestandardswillglobal-levelcollaborationandpolicydiscussionpromoteresponsiblemining,enhancethebetweengovernmentsandpublicandprivatetransparencyofESGmetricsandensurethatsectororganizationsisessential.environmentalandsocialimpactsaremanagedconsistentlyacrossjurisdictions.Thismay8.Acceleratethepaceofinnovation.reducemonitoringcostsandincreasetrustInnovationintechnologiesandpracticesthroughoutthevaluechain.caneitherreducethedemandforacriticalmineralatitsenduseorincreaseitssupplyby10.Streamlineandde-riskprocessesforpromotingefficiencyinproductionthroughoutapprovalandgovernanceofminingprojects.thevaluechain.Researchanddevelopment,Effortstothisendcanreduceleadtimesandaswellascollaborationbetweenacademiaandstrengthensupply.Modernizedandstandardizedindustry,candrivetheadoptionofcutting-edgepermitandapprovalprocedureslikeasingle-technologiesandmethodsthatcanhelpreducewindowsystem,onlinesubmissionplatforms,bothcurrentandfutureshortages.Recognitiondigitalrecord-keepingandreal-timetrackingcanplatformsoracceleratorprogrammescanhelpstreamlineapprovals.Moreover,enhancingtheincentivize,promoteandscaleinnovationsgovernanceandoversightofminingprojectscanthroughoutthevaluechain.ensurecompliancewithregulations.3TheneedforglobalcollaborationWorldwidecollaborationcanraiseawarenessandreducedisparityinthesupplyanddemandofcriticalminerals.Globalcollaboration,withtheparticipationofmultipleinclusion.Thesefragmentationsmayexacerbatestakeholdersincludingregulators,non-profits,regionalimbalancesanddisparitiesinaccessresearchers,industryassociationsandfinanciers,istothesecrucialresources.6Hence,aglobalessentialtoovercometheenergytransitionchallenge.collaborativeeffortisneededforcollectiveaction.7TheSMETcommunitycollaboratedwithleadersfromAcollaborativeeffortcanenablekeyactorstoover15initiativestoanalysethecoverageofexistingdiscussgaps,risks,solutionsaswellasgoodeffortsrelatedtomineralsfortheenergytransition.practicesandbenefitfromkeyinitiativesbeingThisanalysisshowedthatmostoftheinitiativesdoundertakenbydifferentinstitutions.Further,anotencompassalldimensionsoftheenergytriangle,collaborativegroupcanidentifygapsandprioritizenamelysecurity,equityandsustainability.topicsandpotentialactionsintherelevantspaceswhileconveningstakeholdersregularlyTheabsenceofaunifiedefforttobridgethesupply-tofosterdialogue.ConnectingactorstoraisedemandgapmayresultinfragmentationacrossawarenessaroundkeythemeswillcontributethecriticalmineralvaluechainforESGfactors,toamorecomprehensiveunderstandingofthesuchasgreenhousegas(GHG)emissions,landoveralllandscapeandraisetheurgencytotakeuseandpollution,waterusageandcontamination,meaningfulaction.biodiversitylossandthepromotionofequalityand4ThemesforcollaborativeactionSMEThasprioritizedthemesforactiontofacilitateglobalcollaboration.TheSMETcommunityidentifiedkeythemesfordiscrepanciesthroughmoderateddialogue.Manyactionfromexpertinterviewsandconsultationswithoftheseforumsalreadyexist.Forinstance,thepublicandprivatestakeholdersfromthecriticalEuropeanRawMaterialsAlliance(ERMA)9bringsmineralsvaluechains.Assessedwithrespecttotheirtogetherstakeholdersfromindustry,academiacoveragebyexistinginitiativesandtheirimportanceandgovernmenttoanalysepoliciesandtoinfacilitatingthemineralstransition,thefivehighest-developrecommendationsforthesecurityofthescoringthemesforcollaborativeactiontoimprovestakeholders’accesstorawmaterials.Similarly,theuponthecoverageofexistinginitiativesare:InternationalRenewableEnergyAgency(IRENA)hasconvenedmembersforitsCollaborativeFramework1.Facilitatepolicydialogue:SupportanonCriticalMaterialsfortheEnergyTransition.10enablingenvironmentforpolicydialogueamongstakeholdersandsignpostpolicyforbusinessesPolicysignpostscanprovideincreasedvisibilitytoreduceroadblockstotheavailabilityoftoinvestors,reducingfrictionsinthemarketbymineralsneededfortheenergytransition.guidingbusinessesthroughanevolvingregulatorylandscape.Thesesignpostsrefertoindicatorsor2.Supportinvestmentmobilization:Understandsignalsthatsuggestthedirectionofgovernmentinvestmentneedsacrossthecriticalmineralspolicyoncriticalminerals.Investorscanusethesevaluechainsandmobilizeinvestmenttobridgetomonitorandpredicttheimplicationsofnewthesupply-demandgap.regulations,whichmayreducepolicy-inducedmarketfluctuations.Focusgroupdiscussions3.Accelerateinnovation:Spurprivate-sectorinvolvingrepresentativesfrombothprivateandinnovationbyidentifyingnewtechnologiesandpublicsectororganizationsareausefultool,systematicinnovationsforscalingup.aidingbusinessesinnavigatingcomplexpolicyenvironmentsmoreeffectively.Regularnewsletters4.EvaluategapsincurrentESGstandards:andothercommunicationtoolscankeepStreamlineexistingESGframeworksbybusinessesupdatedonrecentpolicydevelopmentsconnectingvoluntarystandardsgroupswithandimplications.internationalstandardsbodies.Finally,effortstode-riskapprovalsandgovernance5.Buildskillsacrossthevaluechain:Analyseinminingprojectscanimprovethesupplyofgapsandopportunitiesintheneedsforskillscriticalminerals.Bestpracticescanbeappliedandbuildcapabilitiesacrossthevaluechain.tostreamlinepermitandapprovalprocesses.Additionally,cleargovernanceguidancespecificFacilitatepolicydialoguetominingprojectscanbeestablished,outliningrolesandresponsibilitiesforallstakeholders.SuchPolicyanalysiscanfacilitatedialoguebyprovidingmeasurescanensurecompliancewithregulations,stakeholderswiththeevidenceandinsightstheysocialresponsibilitiesandsafetystandards,whileneedtomakeinformeddecisions.Taxonomiesofferreducingconflictsanddisruptions.afoundationforanalysisbytrackingandorganizingregionalpoliciesbasedontheirpurpose,methodandSupportinvestmentmobilizationoutcomes.Whilemuchhasbeendonetofacilitatepolicyanalysisatagloballevel,suchastheIEA’sCurrentinvestmentformanycriticalmineralsfallsCriticalMineralPolicyTracker,8moreisneededattheshortofwhatisneededtosupportanacceleratedregionalleveltoaddresslocalizedsupplyrisks.deploymentofemissionsreductiontechnologies.ThelackofinformationonriskscandissuadeOpenpolicydialoguecanfacilitateconversationsinvestmentsintocriticalminerals’valuechains.betweenthepublicandprivatesectorsontheFurther,thelong-termnatureofmininginvestments,bestpracticesforsecuringaccesstocriticaloftenrequiringadecadeforreturns,maybeminerals.Regionalforumscanalsoprovideaincompatiblewiththeshort-termfocusoffinancialvenueforstakeholderstodiscussrisksandpolicymarkets,hinderingprivateinvestmentsinmining.SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition11ThisisespeciallytrueinthelowcommoditypricesAccelerateinnovationenvironment.CollaborativeinitiativestoanalyseinvestmentneedsInnovationisessentialtobridgingtheimpendingandwaysofde-riskinginvestmentsarecrucial.supply-demandgapforcriticalminerals.BusinessesWithouteffortstoscaleupinvestmentanalytics,mustidentifypriorityareas,andthendeployandstakeholdersmaybeunabletoidentifyhowtoamplifytheappropriatetechnologicalandotheroptimallyinvestintechnologyinnovation,recyclingsolutions.Onthedemandside,it’spossibletoandsupplychainresilience.Thecollectiveeffortreducerelianceoncriticalmineralsbyexploringmayincludegapanalysesthatcancomparesupplymineralsubstitutionoptionswithinexistingchainperformanceagainstdemand,identifyareastechnologies,suchasusinglithium-iron-phosphateofimprovementanddeterminehowstakeholdersbatteriesinsteadofnickel-cobalt-aluminumcanallocateresourceseffectively.Further,collectivebatteries.Onthesupplyside,it’spossibletoactioncanreduceandadapttovariouseconomicincreasethesupplyofcriticalmineralsbyinvestingrisksacrossthevaluechaintoensureoptimalinnewtechnologiestoextractmoremineralsfrominvestmentlevels.existingassets.Regionalpublic-privatesectorforumscanhelpIn-depthresearchinpriorityareasforinnovationstakeholdersidentifyinvestmentneeds.Tomobilizecancatalysechange.Criticalityassessmentscanfunds,actorsneedtoensuretheirinvestmentsbeparticularlyimportantfordeterminingwhereareevidence-based,cost-effectiveandalignwithinnovationscanreducevulnerabilitiestosupplytheirpriorities.Investorsandpublicorganizationsdisruptionsorwherecriticalmineralscanbecanuseforumstoencourageknowledge-sharingusedtoreduceenvironmentalandsocialimpactsthatidentifieslocalizedsupplyrisks.Forexample,associatedwiththeirextractionanduse.TheseInvestinginAfricanMiningIndaba11convenesassessmentscanidentifypriorityareasandinformannuallytodiscussAfricanmining,includingsupplyfundingforinnovationresearch,developmentandchainandlocalizedrisks,andprovidesavenueimplementation.forinnovatorsandstakeholderstosecurefundingandtoformnewpartnershipstounlockpotentialItisnecessarytoprioritizeinnovationsandinvestableprojects.Similarforumscanenableadvancementsacrossthevaluechainforthestakeholderstoidentifyinvestmentopportunitiesbenefitofallstakeholders.Furtherresearchandthatbridgethegapbetweensupplyanddemanddevelopment(R&D)isneededinpriorityareastothroughimprovementsinexploration,recycling,identifyopportunitiesforincreasingthesupplysupplydiversification,innovationandstockpiling.ofcriticalmineralsandreducingthedemandforemissions-reductiontechnologies.WorkinggroupswithkeyprivateandpublicsectorplayerscanalsoensurethatinvestmentrisksdoFormoreadvancedinnovations,public-privatenotdiminishthereturnsoninvestmentsorlimitpartnerships(PPPs)canbeusedtoscaleupaccesstofinancing.Economicrisksandinformationfinancing,andcanbeparticularlybeneficialwhenasymmetrycanleadtoalowerthanefficientlevelscalinguplarge-scaleprojects.Forexample,theofinvestment.ThiscanreducetheincentivestoMiningInnovationCommercializationAcceleratorinvestin,forexample,innovativetechnologiesthatNetwork12isagovernment-backedinitiativethatincreasethesupplyofacriticalmineral.supportsinnovations,suchasCopperDestiny’s13greenadditivethatreducescapitalexpenditureandCross-collaborationsbetweencompaniesacrosspowerusageinthecopperleachingprocess.thecriticalmineralsvaluechainsandbetweenpolicy-makersandprivateorganizationscanIndustryleaderscanamplifyinnovationstoexpeditedeviseriskmanagementstrategiesthatreduceuptakeandcreatesynergies.Byconnectingandadapttoeconomicrisks.Instrumentssuchinnovatorswithestablishedplayersinthefield,asblendedpublic-privatefinancecanbeusedcollaborationscanbefosteredthatleveragetoreducetheriskstakenbytheprivatesectorexistingexpertiseandresources.Thiscanbeandincreaseincentivestoinvestinchallengingfacilitatedthroughregionalinnovationforumsandmarkets.Transparencyandriskreductioncanfocusgroupsthatconnectpublicandprivateenableinvestorstocreatefinancialinstrumentstoplayers,enablingthemtocollaborateoninnovationmakeinvestmenteasierandincentivizelong-termactivitiesandbuildpartnershipsinvaluechains.investmentsinmineralexplorationandmining.ThisTheseforumscancreateaspaceforinnovatorstocanscaleupfinanceandbridgethecriticalgapshowcasetheirsolutions,attractinvestmentandbetweenthedemandandsupplyofminerals.forgerelationshipsthatcanstreamlinethetransitiontosustainablecriticalminerals.SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition12ConclusionTheenergytransitionisessentialtoachievingaTheWorldEconomicForum’sglobalconveningsustainablefuture,butitisalsofraughtwithriskspowerisauniqueassetthatcansignificantlyofasupplyshortfallofcriticalminerals.Theseacceleratecollaborativeactionforhigh-priorityriskrisksmustbeidentifiedandunderstoodacrossmanagementstrategiesforcriticalminerals.Bythepolitical,economic,social,technologicalandbringingtogetherstakeholdersthroughoutthevalueenvironmentaldimensions.chainandleveragingitsknowledgepartnerships,theForumcanpropelthetransitiontomorePublic,privateandgovernmentalentitiescansustainableandequitablemineralsvaluechainscollaboratetoraiseawarenessofthecriticaltothebenefitofnotonlystakeholdersbutalsomineralssupply-demanddisparity,diagnosesecondarybusinesses,consumers,governmentsrisksthroughoutthevaluechainanddevelopandthenaturalenvironment.holisticriskmanagementstrategiesthataddressresourceintensity,investment,datatransparency,localvalue-add,policydesign,innovation,ESGstandardsandapprovalprocesses.Collaborationiskey,andthisreporthasoutlinedvariousapproachestofacilitateit.SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition13ContributorsTheWorldEconomicForumacknowledgesandthanksthefollowingexperts,withoutwhoseguidancethisreportwouldnothavebeenpossible.However,thereportdoesnotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsofthesecompaniesandindividuals.Expertadviceispurelyconsultativeinnatureanddoesnotimplyanyassociationwiththetakeawaysorconclusionspresentedwithinthisreport.MohsinAliSofianeKhatibLeadGeologist,Exploration,MariPetroleum,StrategicAdviser,TrafiguraGroup,SwitzerlandPakistanTae-YoonKimAyedHamoudAl-MutairiSeniorEnergyAnalyst,CriticalMineralsLead,SeniorVicePresident,CorporateStrategyandInternationalEnergyAgency,FranceCorporateAffairs,SaudiArabianMiningCompany(Ma’aden),SaudiArabiaVirginiaIrwinKlausmeierPresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer,Sylvatex,EkaterinaAutetUSASeniorInvestmentOfficer,Metals&Mining,InternationalFinanceCorporation,USASophieLuGlobalHeadofHeavyIndustryDecarbonisation,MuhammadAzeemHSBCHoldings,UnitedKingdomManagerJointVentures,BDC,MariPetroleum,PakistanMartinaLyonsProgrammeOfficer-InnovationandEndUseGrégoireBelloisSectors,IRENA,GermanyIntergovernmentalForumonMining,Minerals,MetalsandSustainableDevelopment,SwitzerlandVeronicaNavasOspinaSeniorEconomist,InternationalFinanceDamianBrettCorporation,USASeniorMiningSpecialist,WorldBank,USAMariaTeresaPisaniEricBuissonEconomicAffairsOfficer,EconomicCooperationCriticalMineralsAnalyst,InternationalEnergyandTradeDivision,UnitedNationsEconomicAgency,FranceCommissionforEurope(UNECE),SwitzerlandJordyLeeCalderonMargeryRyanResearchAssociate,ColoradoSchoolofMines,MarketResearchManager,PlatinumGroupMetals,USAJohnsonMatthey,UnitedKingdomAnaElenaSanchoCalvinoAdrianaUnzuetaSaavedraAssociateDirectoroftheGlobalTradeAlert,St.Consultant,Climate-SmartMiningInitiative,WorldGallenEndowmentforProsperitythroughTrade,Bank,USASwitzerlandMaximilianSchnipperingGillianDavidsonHead,Sustainability,SiemensGamesaRenewableSustainabilityAdvisortotheCEO,EurasianEnergy,SpainResourcesGroup(ERG),LuxembourgMartinStuermerClaireDivverEconomistResearcherattheCommoditiesUnitGlobalHead,CorporateAffairsandSustainability,Department,InternationalMonetaryFund(IMF),TrafiguraGroup,SwitzerlandUSAClareEilbeckHarikrishnanTulsidasHeadofPortfolioStrategy,BHPGroup,AustraliaEconomicAffairsOfficer,UnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope(UNECE),GenevaKatieFedosenkoDirector,ESGEngagement,TeckResources,MatthewDavidWittensteinCanadaSectionChief,EnergyDivision,UnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCommissionforAsiaandthePacific(ESCAP),ThailandSecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition14WorldEconomicForumMcKinsey&CompanyTatianaAguilarPatriciaBingotoManager,MiningandMetalsIndustrySeniorExpertGlobalMaterialsPractice,SwitzerlandLucianaGutmannNeilFrankProjectFellow,SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyKnowledgeSpecialist,UnitedKingdomTransitionAgnieszkaKaminskaEspenMehlumKnowledgeSpecialist,UnitedKingdomHeadofEnergyTransitionIntelligenceandRegionalAccelerationAlexKazaglisPartner,UnitedKingdomTanyaMadanKnowledgeAnalyst,UnitedKingdomLadislavTvaruzekKnowledgeSpecialist,UnitedKingdomMichelVanHoeySeniorPartner,LuxembourgAliceVandermostenSeniorKnowledgeAnalyst,UnitedKingdomSecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition15Endnotes1.McKinsey&Company,McKinseyBasicMaterialsInsights,2023.2.IEA,CriticalMineralsmarketReview2023,2023.3.ThePESTELframeworkincludesthelegaldimension,thoughthelatteriscurrentlynotcoveredforriskcharacterization.4.ThecreationofsecondarymarketsforcriticalmineralsisatthecentreofanotherWorldEconomicForum-McKinseyknowledgecollaboration:theCircularityintheBuiltEnvironmentinitiative.Thisinitiativeexploresavenuestoclosematerialandmineralloopsandloweremissionsthroughcircularsolutionswhileinvestigatingcross-industryopportunitiesandbusinessmodels.5.Challengingmarketconditionsrefertolessinstitutionalorregulatorysupportoncriticalmineraltopics.6.IMF,WorldEconomicOutlook,NavigatingGlobalDivergences-Chapter3:FragmentationandCommodityMarkets:VulnerabilitiesandRisks,October2023.7.Somepublic-privatecollaborativeinitiativesarealreadymakingadifference.Forinstance,theWorldBank’sClimateSmartMiningInitiativeservesasaplatformforprovidingtechnicalassistanceandforsupportinginvestmentsinresource-richdevelopingcountriestoachievelow-carbonandresponsiblesourcing.TheGlobalBatteryAllianceisacollaborationacrossthebattery-automotivevaluechaintoachievegoalsinrelationtocircularity,sustainabilityandresponsiblesourcing.Despitetheexistinginitiativesonminerals,thereisstillaneedforglobal-levelactiontofosterdialogue,unifyefforts,addresscriticalmineralchallengesandensurestablesupplywhilemitigatingregionalimbalances.8.IEA,CriticalMineralsPolicyTracker,2023,https://www.iea.org/reports/critical-minerals-policy-tracker/key-findings.9.EuropeanRawMaterialsAlliance,AboutERMA,2022,https://erma.eu/about-us/.10.IRENA,CollaborativeFrameworkonCriticalMaterialsfortheEnergyTransition,2022,https://www.irena.org/How-we-work/Collaborative-frameworks/Critical-materials.11.InvestinginAfricanMiningIndaba,InvestinginAfricanMiningIndaba,2023,https://miningindaba.com/home.12.MiningInnovationCommercializationAcceleratorNetwork,October2023Newsletter,https://micanetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MICA-Newsletter-October-2023.pdf.13.DestinyCopper,CleanTech,2023,https://www.destinycopper.com/cleantech/.SecuringMineralsfortheEnergyTransition16TheWorldEconomicForum,committedtoimprovingthestateoftheworld,istheInternationalOrganizationforPublic-PrivateCooperation.TheForumengagestheforemostpolitical,businessandotherleadersofsocietytoshapeglobal,regionalandindustryagendas.WorldEconomicForum91–93routedelaCapiteCH-1223Cologny/GenevaSwitzerlandTel.:+41(0)228691212Fax:+41(0)227862744contact@weforum.orgwww.weforum.org