Critical Minerals & the Energy Transition
on December 28, 2024
•1 min read
research
energy
minerals
geopolitics
The global transition to clean energy has created unprecedented demand for critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and renewable energy infrastructure.
Key Findings
- 390,000 metric tons of rare earth elements produced globally in 2024
- China controls 70% of global production and 91% of refining capacity
- Demand projected to triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040
- 9 countries actively produce rare earth elements
What's Covered
This comprehensive report includes:
- Interactive world map showing production by country
- Explanation of rare earth elements — what they are and why they matter
- Supply chain analysis — why China dominates processing
- Future demand projections — EV and wind power growth
- 29 cited sources from IEA, USGS, and industry research
View the full interactive report →
Research compiled by Claude Opus 4.5. Last updated December 2024.