Demand

The world’s appetite for metals and minerals is increasing fast, driven by a handful of critical sectors. With each new technical advance, gadgets and devices demand a new breed of materials. Manufacturing sectors are still booming and require an unending supply of raw materials. Renewable energy projects, such as solar panels and wind turbines, depend on a range of metals. Data center activity alone requires some 55,000 tonnes of rare earth minerals – a rock or mineral that contains rare-earth or rare-earth elements – pushing mining companies to explore new areas and develop more efficient mining and extraction methods. However, such growth comes at a cost socially and in terms of the environment, with sustainable resource management becoming a concern. Experts say we need to reconcile our demand for these materials with the need for responsible mining that doesn’t further harm the planet. So, there has been a heightened focus on recycling and looking for different materials to satisfy our needs without taking them away from Earth’s treasury.