Critical mineral supply chains face technological and demand pressures

Researchers at Battelle have demonstrated a biotechnology-based method for separating rare earth elements using engineered calcium-binding proteins. This approach achieved over 90% purity and yield in the single-stage separation of lanthanum and neodymium, offering a potential alternative to traditional chemical processing methods for critical mineral recovery.

In the United Kingdom, a report from the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC) highlights the growing pressure on global supply chains due to the expansion of digital infrastructure. The surge in demand for data centres, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing is expected to increase the need for minerals such as copper, aluminium, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. The report emphasizes the necessity of addressing supply chain vulnerabilities to support the UK's digital economy and national security.