It is vital note that the drive to towards renewable energy places mineral at the frontal role. Each type of renewable energy uses critical minerals in varying quantities, depending on the properties needed.

Aluminium and copper are most common in solar energy; iron and zinc in wind energy; nickel and chromium in geothermal energy; and graphite, nickel, and cobalt in producing electric batteries.

But what are those critical material ??? According to the World’s Economic Forum,  they are;

1. Lithium

Lithium is a vital ingredient for energy storage in both batteries and electric vehicles. It is deemed a “pillar for a fossil fuel-free economy” by the United Nations, lithium is expected to  replace fossil fuels as the world’s dominant commodity in coming years as demand for the alkali metal grows.

Already a major component of the electric mobility movement, lithium and the batteries it powers is integral to both the transport and energy sectors.

However, while the use of lithium-ion batteries is well known within the electric vehicle sector, why is lithium important for renewable energy?

As many people know, the global demand for lithium is on the rise, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage solutions.

Without lithium, the efficiency and ability to implement renewable energy will be limited. As such, the element is critical to the development of low-carbon power opportunities across the world, and will dictate how fast the global transition can happen.

Especially for nations with high intermittency, increasing energy needs, or demand for self-reliance, lithium-ion batteries for energy storage provide the perfect solution to maximize the use of solar, wind, and tidal energy and dependency on fossil fuels.

The shift to renewable power can only be successful with the use of lithium.

The negotiations that took place at the 2021 UN climate conference (COP26) showcased the steps needed to reach net-zero goals: improving renewable energy infrastructure, divesting from fossil fuels, increasing renewable energy capacity, and developing energy storage systems for grid-scale use.

2. Cobalt

Cobalt is crucial in helping batteries charge and discharge effectively. Cobalt is used in many alloys & super alloys to make parts in aircraft engines, gas turbines, high-speed steels, corrosion-resistant alloys, and cemented carbides; it is used in magnets and magnetic recording media. It is also used as a catalyst for the petroleum and chemical industries.

Cobalt plays an important role in renewable biogas technology. Biogas is a methane-based energy carrier and is widely used for delocalised electricity and heat production or as a renewable replacement for natural gas.

Biogas is an environmental technology which produces energy-rich gases by degrading complex organic materials including those found in landfill waste, sewage sludge, bio-waste treatment and certain species of crops.

The fermentation involved in biogas production can be improved by adding small amounts of cobalt sulphate, cobalt chloride, cobalt carbonate,

3. Copper

Copper is a highly efficient conduit, it is used in renewable energy systems to generate power from solar, hydro, thermal and wind energy across the world. Copper helps reduce CO2 emissions and lowers the amount energy needed to produce electricity.

In many renewable energy systems, there is 6 times more copper than in traditional systems. Copper is one of the best renewable resources.

It is one of the few materials that can be recycled over and over again without a loss in performance.

Renewable energy sources provide nearly one-quarter of the world’s power, and copper plays an important role in making it as efficient as possible with minimal impact on the environment.

Copper is well-known for its strong sustainability credentials. Not only is the red metal supporting the shift to a circular economy, but it’s also helping to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

A key component of electrical wiring, copper plays an important role in the capture, storage and transmission of renewable energy.  Meanwhile, the demand for copper is already on the rise and will continue to grow as the green energy transition gathers pace.

4. Nickel

Nickel is a core component in both batteries and wind turbines. The role of nickel within the renewable energy revolution explores how the industry is working to mitigate its environmental impact.

As the global society makes strides towards a more sustainable future, certain industries and their components have been thrust to the forefront of these efforts.

The metals industry, with a particular emphasis on nickel, plays an essential role in supporting this progression. This is primarily due to its extensive utilization of renewable energy technologies and battery production.

These technologies are key elements in implementing clean energy solutions such as geothermal power, electric vehicles (EVs), and nuclear energy, among others.

Notwithstanding its inherently energy-intensive production process, nickel’s recyclability makes it instrumental in fostering a circular economy where resources are used optimally, and waste generation is minimised.

5. Rare earth metals

Rare earth minerals are major components of renewable energy technologies, however, the types and quantity of minerals required vary by technology.

Neodymium and praseodymium, for example, are used in the production of magnets which are key to the operation of wind turbines and EV motors.

Those elements strengthen the magnets, while other minerals (dysprosium and terbium) make them resistant to demagnetization.

Likewise, while silicon is still the dominant semiconductor metal used in solar PV cells, rare earth minerals cadmium and gallium are increasingly being used due to their conductive deficiencies.

Without an abundance of rare earth minerals, renewable energy technologies would not exist in their current form or would be highly inefficient when compared with traditional generation methods such as oil, coal and gas.

Similarly, technological advancements such as those between silicon solar PV and cadmium or gallium solar PV cells, could not occur.

It is due to the availability of large amounts of rare earth minerals for use in renewable energy technologies (and other technology advancements) that the market and quality of renewable energy sources have been able to flourish.

For records, the United States has the world’s largest proven coal reserves. It is also rich in copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber, and arable land.

Again, Russia’s natural resources reserves are worth $75 trillion by Statista’s estimate. This amount incorporates, among other things, coal, oil, natural gas, gold, timber, and rare earth metals.

Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment estimated the total value of the country’s mineral reserves at the end of 2018 to equal $1.44 trillion.

It also holds the world’s largest proved natural gas reserves at 1.32 quadrillion cubic feet, accounting for nearly 20% of the global total as of 2020.

Russia also has the second largest gold reserves at 6,800 tons, or more than 13% of global total as of 2023. Russia was the world’s third-largest crude oil producer at 12% of global supply in 2020.

Russia proved oil reserves were the world’s sixth largest at an estimated 107.8 billion barrels. In industrial diamonds, the country accounted for 37% of 2022 global production and 46% of the commodity’s reserves.

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YOUR VIEW: Which of these materials do you think will affect global economy the most?

According to Oscar van Antwerpen, who is the director and founder of leading geological consulting firm Minrom, this battery-powered world is fueled by crucial minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite.

By 2030, renewable energy is likely to account for 20% of South Africa’s power mix — a far cry from its initial target of 41% by the end of the decade — with the country’s updated energy blueprint committing to more than 100 gigawatts of new generation capacity to be built by 2050.

“For this goal to materialise and for us to end South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis, however, battery storage will be key,” van Antwerpen urges.

As consumers, industries and economies grow more reliant on renewable energy and electric mobility, the demand for battery minerals has surged exponentially. “The global shift towards electrification and renewable energy has created an insatiable appetite for these minerals” he explains. “With an increased focus on environmental sustainability and the need to safeguard the earth for future generations, the importance of battery minerals cannot be overstated.”

“Consumers should care about what is happening in the battery mineral mining industry as it directly impacts technological innovation environmental sustainability, electric vehicles and the future of renewable energy… and with that, an alleviation to the energy crisis,” van Antwerpen says.

The availability and cost of battery minerals directly impact the adoption and affordability of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. “Consumers who support the transition to cleaner energy sources, the efficient storage of renewable energy generated from solar and wind, should be aware of the challenges and opportunities within the battery mineral mining industry; these minerals lie at the heart of a just transition,” he says.

He says over the past few years, the need for minerals like manganese dioxide and vanadium, cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and graphite has evolved significantly: “This is driven by rapid technological advancements and the rapid growth of industries reliant on energy storage, electrification, and sustainable technologies. Most people are familiar with the uses for lithium in psychiatric medications that help manage mood disorders, but now it plays a crucial role in powering renewable energy.”

As these trends continue to unfold, the importance of these minerals in shaping the future of technology and sustainability will keep expanding. “The exponential growth in the electric vehicle and renewable energy markets has propelled the demand for these minerals, which are the building blocks for lithium-ion batteries.”

Copper, he adds, is a fundamental component in electrical wiring and electronics, and the rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure and the electrification of transportation has led to increased copper demand.

The question now, says van Antwerpen, is how best to meet these needs in a sustainable way. “Securing sufficient supplies is one of the greatest challenges we face in enabling this transition.”

With a comprehensive strategy rooted in cutting-edge geological expertise, technological innovation and an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, Minrom is at the forefront of exploration and extraction to meet the rapidly growing demand for these minerals.

With van Antwerpen at Minrom’s helm, they specialise in providing geological consulting services across the full lifecycle of mineral exploration, due diligence and resource evaluation, mining and production.

“Our team of geologists and engineers possesses a wealth of experience in identifying and assessing mineral deposits, particularly those rich in lithium, manganese dioxide, and vanadium,” he explained. “Through meticulous exploration and extraction processes, coupled with state-of-the-art technologies, we aim to optimise resource utilization.

“We firmly believe that responsible resource development goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social responsibility,” he explains. “We prioritise sustainable practices, adhere to environmental regulations and strive to foster positive relationships with the communities we operate in.”

Minrom’s footprint in battery minerals extends well beyond South Africa’s borders.

“Our team of experts has decades of experience identifying and assessing mineral resources across the African continent and globally,” he explains. “We work closely with mining companies and investors in countries like Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Gabon, Kenya, Morocco, Uganda Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar to derisk projects, maximise yields and ensure sustainable, ethical sourcing of these critical materials.”

As the energy revolution accelerates, the need for battery minerals will continue to surge.

Van Antwerpen says companies like Minrom play an essential role in bridging the supply gap and enabling transformative technologies that are paving the way for a greener future:

“Whether we are talking about the cars of the future or the electricity solutions of tomorrow, battery power will reshape how we produce and consume energy. We’re committed to helping realise that vision by responsibly unleashing the mineral potential as the global demand for battery minerals continues to grow. Through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to our core values, Minrom is confident in our ability to contribute meaningfully to a cleaner, greener future.”