The Importance of Critical Minerals in the Clean Energy Transition
The transition to clean energy is essential to mitigate climate change, and it requires the use of critical minerals. These minerals are essential components in many clean energy technologies, from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles. Demand for these minerals is expected to grow quickly as clean energy transitions gather pace. However, there are concerns about the reliability, affordability, and sustainability of mineral supply.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published a report on the role of critical minerals in clean energy transitions, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex links between these minerals and the prospects for a secure, rapid transformation of the energy sector. The report examines whether today’s mineral investments can meet the needs of a swiftly changing energy sector and considers the task ahead to promote responsible and sustainable development of critical minerals. It also highlights the risks to the reliability, affordability, and sustainability of mineral supply, which are manageable but real.Here are some of the critical minerals needed for energy transition technologies:
- Lithium: used in batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
- Cobalt: used in batteries for electric vehicles and some renewable energy systems.
- Nickel: used in batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
- Rare earth elements: used in wind turbines, electric vehicles, and some solar panels.
- Copper: used in power lines and renewable energy systems.
- Aluminum: used in some renewable energy systems.
- Zinc: used in some batteries and solar panels.
Diversifying critical minerals is important for Africa’s energy transition. The sustainable supply of these minerals is critical to a clean energy transition. Coal is currently the largest source of revenue for mining, but clean energy transitions offer opportunities and challenges for companies that produce minerals. Critical minerals provide the building blocks for many modern technologies and are essential to our national security and economic
