Critical Minerals — thematic geopolitical analysis
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    Critical Minerals

    Analyse how critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths shape geopolitical competition, supply chains, and industrial strategy.

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    Critical minerals have emerged as one of the most strategically important resources of the twenty-first century. Materials such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and copper underpin modern technologies, renewable energy systems, and defence industries. As demand accelerates, competition over extraction, processing, and supply chains has become a major geopolitical issue. This theme explores how mineral resources shape international relationships, infrastructure development, and industrial policy. It also examines the role of resource-rich regions in global competition and how states attempt to secure reliable access to these strategic materials.