ISRM has released the latest report from its single-topic Global Crisis Watch sessions, launched in August 2025. The November report, “The New Geopolitics of Critical Minerals”, examines global competition over rare earth elements and critical minerals—vital for clean energy, defence and advanced technology.
The session highlighted China’s dominant role in mining and refining, including export regulations that have increased trade tensions with the United States. It also examined China’s Belt and Road Initiative investments in Africa, raising concerns over environmental impacts, labour practices and national sovereignty, while countries such as Australia are building domestic supply chains to reduce reliance on Chinese processing.
The report shows how the global race for critical minerals is reshaping power structures and challenging traditional cooperation models. Governance and access to these resources are now central to economic stability, strategic resilience and global security.
Read the full report to understand the insights and recommendations shaping the future of critical minerals in our public library.