# Insights on minerals for energy and advanced technologies Discover insights and hear from the voices shaping dialogue on the investment and innovation challenges across mineral value chains. ## Making Critical Minerals Bankable: Policy Tools to Unlock Investment Demand is rising, yet minerals investment and capacity remain uneven. The report, in collaboration with Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA (CGEP), provides a practical framework and sets out a forward-looking pathway to move projects from risk to resilience and ensure supply can keep pace with the technologies shaping the future. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/making-critical-minerals-bankable-policy-tools-to-unlock-investment/ ) ## Explore our report series Examine insights shedding light on impactful collaborations, revealing the outcomes derived from the Centre for Energy and Materials' most recent joint initiatives, projects, and achievements. ### From Minerals to Megawatts: Building Resilience for EVs, Data Centres and Power Grids This report blends market data with insights from over 65 leaders across mining, processing, OEMs, utilities and operators, it articulates each value chain segment’s risks priorities, maps interdependencies and flags early-warning signals in markets. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/from-minerals-to-megawatts-building-resilience-for-evs-data-centres-and-power-grids/) ### Securing Minerals for the Energy Transition: Finance for Southern Africa This report identifies financing barriers and practical solutions to scale critical minerals value chains in Southern Africa. It highlights replicable case studies that can de-risk investment, build infrastructure, support local value addition, and position Southern Africa as a key player in the global clean energy economy. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/securing-minerals-for-the-energy-transition-finance-for-southern-africa/) ### Unlocking the Value Chain through Policy, Investment and Innovation This paper explores various approaches for unlocking critical minerals supply. It identifies barriers to investment and innovation in critical minerals and associated solutions for addressing them. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/securing-minerals-for-the-energy-transition-unlocking-the-value-chain-through-policy-investment-and-innovation/) ### Securing Minerals for the Energy Transition This report identifies 10 high-priority risk management strategies for access to minerals essential for the ongoing energy transition. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/securing-minerals-for-the-energy-transition/) ### Mining and Metals: Trends, Challenges and the Way Forward Key industry trends including the shift towards renewable energy and sustainability considerations, technological advancements, and the deepening relationship between supply chains, socio-environmental effects and geopolitics. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/mining-and-metals-trends-challenges-and-the-way-forward/) ## AI Dependence on Critical Minerals The growing link between AI and minerals emphasizes that behind every data centre is a significant demand for materials such as copper, lithium and aluminum. As AI scales rapidly, the mining sector faces the challenge of keeping pace, particularly given the long timelines required to develop new mines responsibly and sustainably.From Minerals to Megawatts: Building Resilience for EVs, Data Centres and Power Grids, explores how to shore up the supply chains behind the AI revolution. [Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/from-minerals-to-megawatts-building-resilience-for-evs-data-centres-and-power-grids/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_term=607&utm_content=43026) ## Africa's iron ore production is booming but it needs a parallel steel strategy Africa's iron ore potential is significant, but unlocking its full value depends on building the domestic steelmaking capacity to match it. [Read the article](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/03/africa-iron-ore-production-steel-strategy/) ## Learn more about how minerals power energy and technologies Discover diverse perspectives and engage with our passionate writers as they share insights, stories, and thought-provoking content on a wide range of topics. ## Featured Content ### Investing in innovation will secure vital critical minerals for the energy transition – here's where to start Rising demand for low-carbon technologies is escalating the need for critical minerals. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/06/why-investing-in-innovation-is-essential-to-securing-critical-minerals/) ### The energy transition will need critical minerals and metals. Here's how to mine responsibly [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/06/energy-transition-critical-minerals-mining/) ### Revitalizing the future economy: Critical mineral derivatives could bring stability [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/04/revitalizing-the-future-economy-a-critical-mineral-derivative-market-could-bring-stability/) ### Why recycling metal is an opportunity too good to waste [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/04/why-recycling-metal-is-an-opportunity-too-good-to-waste/) ### Why the mining sector must dig deep to explain its move towards net zero [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/04/mining-industry-communications-build-trust-energy-transition/) ### The mining industry must be ambitious in its support of the net zero transition [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/preview/4b149431-1fc5-4e5e-ad61-bf379e0c3c95/) ### Securing critical minerals for energy transition requires collective action [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/securing-critical-minerals-energy-transition-collective-action/) ### Why partnerships are critical to accelerating energy transition When ordering food or beverages to go, customers can opt for a reusable revolv cup. A deposit is placed on the cup, which will be paid back upon return at a drop-off station or to any participating café. Revolv provides users with incentives, including discounts, to opt for a revolv cup [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/why-partnerships-are-critical-to-accelerating-energy-transition/) ### Why understanding mineral associations is key to managing the critical minerals supply gap Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/mineral-associations-managing-supply-gap-critical-minerals/) ### Why we need international data sharing on critical minerals Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/why-we-need-international-data-sharing-on-critical-minerals/) ### Why supply chain resilience is key to the energy transition Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/supply-chain-resilience-key-to-energy-transition/) ### What are critical minerals - and why are they key to a greener future? [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/05/critical-minerals-technology-geopolitical-greener-future/) ### Lithium is not oil: A critical minerals perspective on what makes a resilient energy transition Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/lithium-is-not-oil-heres-why-that-matters/) ### How Japan solved its rare earth minerals dependency issue Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit. [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/10/japan-rare-earth-minerals/) ### Why we need global cooperation on critical mineral supplies [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/why-we-need-global-cooperation-on-critical-mineral-supplies/) ### The great minerals scramble: materials for the energy transition [Read more](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/minerals-metals-energy-transition-davos2023/) ## Watch relevant videos ### Africa’s mineral deposits can power the energy transition Africa is home to extensive reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium, and other critical minerals. These minerals are poised to become the "building blocks of a new era," according to the UN Trade and Development Secretary-General.However, it is essential to move beyond extractive models that funnel profits to developed nations and instead focus on African development and empowerment. ### Electric cars, solar panels and batteries rely on these 5 critical minerals Globally, renewable energy capacity needs to triple by 2030, according to the UAE Consensus, agreed at COP28. As clean energy technologies use large quantities of minerals, demand for them is likely to soar.To power the energy transition, the world needs to secure a reliable supply of critical minerals while avoiding the threats of irresponsible practices, geopolitical tensions and price inflations. All while avoiding a delay in the adoption of clean technologies.Watch to learn more about these five critical minerals.