Critical minerals flagged for energy transition
The global energy transition is no longer driven just by technology but increasingly limited by control over critical minerals, with metals like copper and rare earth elements emerging as “strategic chokepoints” that shape low-carbon economies, energy security and geopolitical influence amid export curbs by key supplier nations, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.
Copper prices have turned highly volatile due to mine disruptions in Indonesia, Congo and Chile, fuelling fears of medium — to long-term supply shortfalls against surging demand from power grids and data centres worldwide, compounded by protectionist trade barriers, the Economic Survey 2025-26 said.
“Metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements have become the new strategic chokepoints in shaping the contours of a low-carbon economy, influencing energy security, industrial competitiveness, and geopolitical power, as observed through several trade restrictions on export of critical minerals by source countries,” it said.
As demand accelerates, advanced economies are responding by promoting standards-based critical mineral markets, emphasising sustainability, traceability, and governance.
