Top 10 critical minerals: The hidden power behind our future

Jay Hilotin

Why critical?

It's because they're essential for modern life and national security, but face supply risks due to limited availability, geopolitical factors, or extraction difficulties.

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Currently, they're crucial for the green energy transition, defence, aerospace and supply chain vulnerability. These are the top 10 critical minerals:

| File Photo | Lithium mine
Aluminium 

It's a key mineral for lightweight structures, aerospace, and power transmission. Aluminum is produced through a multi-step process, primarily from bauxite ore, which contains aluminum oxide.

| AFP
Cobalt

Cobalt is used in various industries due to its strength, heat resistance, and magnetic properties. Vital for rechargeable batteries, aerospace, magnets, medical gear and defence industries.

| Bloomberg
Copper

Used mainly in electrical wiring and electronics, due to its high electrical conductivity. It is also used in power grids, motors and transformers as semiconductors.

| Shutterstock
Graphite

It is a naturally-occurring form of crystalline carbon known for its high conductivity, lubricating properties, and heat resistance. It plays a vital role in modern industries.

| University of Waterloo | geology.com
Lithium

It's what powers our devices, the superhero of batteries. Light, fast-charging, and unstoppable, it fuels the future, keeping the world connected.

LinkedIn
Manganese

Manganese is a critical industrial and strategic mineral, essential for steel production, batteries, and various chemical applications.

LinkedIn
Nickel

This silvery-white metal has excellent corrosion resistance and high durability, primarily used in stainless steel production (about 70% of global demand) and as a key component in batteries.

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Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

A family of 17 elements consisting of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanum-group elements mostly used in magnets, turbines, and high-tech devices.

| Office of the State Geologist | Arkansas
Tin

Necessary for soldering electronics, semiconductors, and renewable technology. This shows cassiterite, tin oxide mineral (SnO2) that is the primary source of tin metal.

USGS
Zinc

Used in galvanisation, alloys, and battery technologies.

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