As the global economy shifts towards cleaner energy systems, electrification and digital technologies, more countries are competing for access to critical minerals. Clean technologies will account for a larger share of critical mineral demand, including copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements, says UN Trade and Development (Unctad) in its June 2026 ‘Global Trade Update.

When it comes to modern economic and geopolitical landscapes, one significant development has been the ascending role of rare earth elements and other critical minerals. They have…

What are the social and environmental costs of the race for critical minerals? Minerals like cobalt, lithium, and nickel are crucial for the development of new technology,…