Abstract This study contributes to the mineral-energy nexus by examining the role of importing mineral raw materials (ores and concentrates) on subsequent progress in the energy transition among 33 countries from 1992 to 2015. We focus on net imports of ores and concentrates for five energy transition minerals (copper, cobalt aluminum, nickel, and manganese) and present an economic production framework to link the mineral raw materials with renewable electricity generation shares. The distinction between mineral raw materials and processed/refined inputs is important because processing capabilities vary among nations, influencing their import-export dynamics and energy transition strategies. Our empirical analysis based on a fixed effects regression model shows that the previous year’s net imports of the five mineral raw materials are positively correlated with the current year’s renewable energy generation, after controlling for other drivers of the energy transition. This finding suggests the relative importance of mineral processing capabilities in enabling the energy transition among net importers of mineral raw materials.

Abstract The mining and metals industries are facing the conflicting challenges of meeting an anticipated skyrocketing metals demand while drastically decarbonizing and reducing other environmental impacts. Over the past few years, decarbonization has become a key topic within the sector, with global scale initiatives and a massive response from companies. Here, we provide a snapshot of the industry’s progress towards decarbonization, building on the most recent research papers, industry reports, and the public corporate documents of twenty major mining and metals companies. The objective is to highlight how the concept of Net Zero (NZ) has been interpreted within the sector and critically discuss the key strategies to achieve it. Today, nearly all the leading companies have set ambitious decarbonization targets, with many aiming to achieve Net Zero operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2050. According to the proposed decarbonization roadmaps, massive deployment of renewable energy is likely to drive substantial emission reductions in the short-term (before 2030). Instead, long-term decarbonization targets (2050) are expected to be achieved by combining carbon offsets strategies with the implementation of multiple breakthrough technologies, such as battery electric mining trucks, process heat electrification, and green hydrogen. Despite the ambitious goals, sometimes underpinned by clear roadmaps and remarkable investment agendas, three questions remain open and the responses uncertain to various extent: 1. What does NZ mean in practice for the sector? 2. To what extent long term strategies that companies announced are viable and credible? 3. What’s the role of Life Cycle Assessment in setting and monitoring Scope 3 reduction targets?

Abstract This review article addresses a gap in the literature that has largely sidelined South Korea’s critical minerals strategies despite the country’s leading role in low-carbon and defense technologies. In particular, we focus on the structure of South Korea’s domestic and foreign engagement for critical minerals sourcing. We identify 18 documents that constitute the architecture of the resource-poor country’s efforts to address supply risks. With an economy driven by industrial conglomerates highly reliant on these minerals, South Korea has mobilized a realistic approach of diversifying its supply chains. This contrasts with its U.S. and to a lesser extent European counterparts looking to decouple themselves from Chinese supplies. South Korea, by opposition, recognizes the immense capacities of China and intends to maintain part of its sourcing from its neighbor while diversifying through engagement with global mineral leaders in Asia, smaller African producers, and potentially the development of deep sea mining. This article constitutes a first step in understanding critical minerals strategies for resource-poor countries with significant industrial and technology sectors. Finally, we conclude by providing four avenues for potential future research.

Abstract This study examines the evolving study of mineral criticality and highlights a key gap: the limited involvement of experts from mineral-producing countries (MPCs), especially in the Global South. Bibliometric analysis of 101 critical minerals assessments and methodologies shows that the current criticality field of study reflects a narrow set of industrial priorities and risk perceptions, often framing MPCs’ development goals as supply chain risks. This phenomenon is referred to as ‘criticality provincialization’ in this paper. Findings suggest that mineral-consuming countries (MCCs) such as China and some Global North nations are moving away from country-agnostic criticality assessments and successfully localising the subject to their own realities. Together, they demonstrate that criticality is an important tool for asserting or defending a country’s manufacturing and industrial interests. The study reveals that the expert imbalance sustains foresight-driven policy in MCCs and reactive policy in MPCs, leading to long-term resource dependencies. Findings show that criticality designations typically exist parallel to a short-lived 3–5-year window of windfall resource rents for MPCs, which incentivises expanding mining operations but often fail to enable the development of downstream sectors. The study concludes that MPCs should adopt criticality as a field of study within mineral economics, build local expertise, and localise the concept to their own strategic, economic, and development priorities.