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https://theconversation.com/critical-minerals-for-the-world-or-just-for-the-us-turning-australia-into-a-green-minerals-powerhouse-comes-with-risks-230212>
"Globalisation is on shaky ground. As China rises, the United States and its
allies are moving to reduce their reliance on the world’s factory.
The rivalry between the US and China is wide-ranging, from competition in
technology over silicon chips and artificial intelligence to the critical
minerals essential for green energy technologies such as grid batteries, wind
turbines and electric vehicles.
At present, China dominates critical minerals. Beijing has secured supplies of
rare earth elements and lithium, which have enabled it to take the lead in many
green tech sectors, from solar to EVs. This has heightened geopolitical
volatility.
But it also offers Australia a new pathway to export success – as well as fresh
risks. A key part of the government’s flagship
Future Made in Australia Act
is an effort to fast-track mining of critical minerals – elements such as
cobalt and lithium essential to the green energy transition.
That’s great. But who will buy them? If tensions between the US and China force
us to pick a side, we might not be able to export our wealth of critical
minerals to China, our largest customer."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
