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Understanding the Importance of Critical Minerals
A global competition is underway as nations strive to obtain the essential minerals and rare earth elements required for the production of crucial goods.
The global competition for critical minerals and rare earths, essential components in a wide range of products including smartphones and electric vehicles, is intensifying.
The US, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, has prioritized access to these minerals, exploring potential mining agreements in countries such as Greenland and Ukraine.
However, China maintains a dominant position in the processing of these minerals, resulting in a significant reliance on the country for global supplies.
Critical minerals are defined as those that a nation deems crucial to its economic or national security interests, yet may face challenges in obtaining a stable supply.
Certain critical minerals are expected to experience substantial growth in demand over the coming years, including:
The classification of critical minerals varies by country, depending on the specific resources available and the industries present.
For instance, copper is listed as a critical mineral in the US, but not in the UK.
The UK's list of critical minerals comprises 34 materials, including aluminium, cobalt, and helium.
Rare earth elements are a common feature on the critical minerals lists of many countries.
Characterized by their unique electrical and magnetic properties, rare earths consist of 17 elements within the lanthanide group of the periodic table, in addition to scandium and yttrium.
These elements play a vital role in the production of microchips, which are essential for various sectors, including defense and healthcare.
Additional applications of rare earths include:
The increasing demand for these minerals, driven by the growth of AI and green energy, is expected to continue, according to the International Energy Agency.
Despite their name, rare earth elements are relatively abundant, with neodymium found at a concentration of 20 parts per million in the Earth's crust, comparable to copper's concentration of 27 parts per million.
The most common critical minerals are distributed globally, with certain countries possessing significant reserves.
China holds an estimated 44 million tonnes of rare earth reserves, followed by Brazil with 21 million tonnes and Australia with approximately six million tonnes.
Countries such as Australia, Indonesia, and Chile have notable mining operations.
Australia is the leading producer of iron ore, gold, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and lithium, while Indonesia accounts for half of the world's nickel production.
Chile is the world's largest copper exporter, according to S&P Global analysts.
The International Energy Agency has warned that, although current mining projects may meet demand in most cases, copper and lithium may face shortages from the 2030s.
The availability of minerals is influenced not only by their presence beneath the Earth's surface but also by the ease of access and processing.
Many countries lack the capacity to process critical minerals, relying on other nations for refined materials.
For example, while silicon metal is mined in over 30 countries, only three have the capability to process it into polysilicon, a crucial component in microchip production.
China dominates the processing of various critical minerals, including rare earths, lithium, and cobalt.
In 2021, the Democratic Republic of Congo produced 70% of the world's cobalt, but 90% of it was refined in China, according to the Faraday Institution.
The same year, over 75% of the world's lithium supply came from Australia and Chile, yet 72% of the refining occurred in China, as reported by the World Economic Forum.
China is responsible for processing over 95% of certain rare earth elements.
Bob Ward, a researcher at the London School of Economics' Grantham Research Institute, noted that China recognized the growth potential of green energy a decade ago and strategically expanded its processing capabilities.
This has resulted in the US and other countries becoming heavily reliant on China, potentially exposing them to vulnerabilities.
A 2023 report by a US Government Select Committee cautioned that the failure to secure critical minerals supply chains could severely impact defense production and advanced technologies.
In 2025, the European Central Bank highlighted the risks associated with China's pivotal role in the rare earth supply chain, citing potential geopolitical disruptions.
President Trump has emphasized the need to strengthen the US' critical minerals production to reduce dependence on other countries.
In October 2025, the US signed a critical minerals agreement with Australia, with President Trump stating that the US would soon have an abundance of critical minerals and rare earths.
Although the US possesses rare earth mineral reserves, accounting for just over 2% of the global supply, establishing processing capabilities may take several years.
Gracelin Baskaran, director at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, noted that no single country currently has the financial resources or technical expertise to surpass China's dominance in the field.
China's lower environmental standards for mining and processing activities have enabled the country to maintain lower costs compared to its competitors.
News
UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances
The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.
In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.
The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.
Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.
The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.
The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.
Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.
With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.
In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.
Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.
Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.
The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.
Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.
Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.
Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.
After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.
Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.
In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.
For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.
In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.
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Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.
As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.
Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.
Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.
Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.
Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.
According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.
Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.
Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.
An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire, has made headlines, but who is he and how did he accumulate his wealth?
Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.
As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.
Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.
He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.
Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.
He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.
Do you have any questions about Manchester City that you would like answered?
News
GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.
For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.
Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.
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