Every Mineral Matters in New Metals Age

The U.S. Geological Survey now lists 60 critical minerals, representing roughly 80% of mined commodities and underscoring a shift in how metals are valued in the 21st century.

Beyond staples like copper, nickel and zinc, so-called 'spice metals' and many rare earths — gadolinium, ytterbium, praseodymium, gallium and germanium among them — are indispensable for semiconductors, precision electronics and modern defense systems. Lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese remain central to electric‑vehicle batteries, while rare‑earth magnets drive motors and sensors. Even tin and copper have been reborn as vital components for soldering and electrical distribution.

Supply chains are reshaping geopolitics: China still dominates processing and output for many critical metals, prompting Western states and companies to pursue diversification through new mines, processing facilities, supply agreements and strategic partnerships. African and South American producers, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, are increasingly pivotal to global sourcing.

As demand for clean energy, advanced electronics and military hardware grows, attention will shift to formerly obscure elements such as indium, niobium, scandium and tellurium, with investment, trade policy and technological innovation following closely behind.