Chatham House has launched a new Critical Minerals Initiative to address the geopolitical, economic, and sustainability challenges shaping global mineral supply chains amid rising demand for energy transition and digital technologies.
Strategic Focus on Mineral Security
On 28 October 2025, Chatham House announced the creation of its Critical Minerals Initiative, a major research workstream housed within its Global Economy and Finance Programme. The initiative aims to examine the intersections of geopolitics, security, economics, and global governance in the sourcing, processing, and distribution of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.
These minerals are essential to technologies powering the energy transition, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure, but their supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical competition, regulatory fragmentation, and environmental concerns.
Policy and Research Objectives
Led by Christopher Vandome, Senior Research Fellow, the initiative will produce policy recommendations to help governments and industry navigate the intensifying race for mineral access. It will also build cross-sector networks to support implementation, drawing on Chatham House’s convening power and multidisciplinary expertise.
The initiative will explore:
- Global governance frameworks for mineral trade and sustainability
- Security implications of mineral dependency and strategic stockpiling
- Environmental and social impacts of mining and processing
- Commercial viability and innovation in mineral extraction and recycling
Global Relevance
The launch comes amid heightened tensions over mineral access, with major economies including the United States, China, and the European Union advancing national strategies to secure supply chains. Recent developments, such as China’s export controls on graphite and new U.S.-Australia mineral agreements, underscore the urgency of coordinated policy responses.
Chatham House’s initiative is expected to contribute to international dialogue on resource security and support evidence-based decision-making in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Source: Chatham House Chatham House.
Chatham House © Trevor Rickard ccbysa 2.0 Geograph Britain and Ireland
