Critical minerals shift from green transition to geopolitical security

The role of the mining industry is shifting from a focus on the green transition to a matter of international security and geopolitics. While Norway’s 2023 mineral strategy emphasized sustainability and being a stable supplier for the green shift, there is a growing trend in Europe to view critical minerals through the lens of defense capability and control over strategic value chains.

Experts note that China has spent decades establishing a dominant position in the processing and supply of critical raw materials, often using this position as a geopolitical tool. In response, the United States is investing heavily in new mineral projects and processing capacity to secure its own chains, while the European Union works on regulatory frameworks like the Critical Raw Materials Act. There are concerns that Europe risks falling behind if it fails to strengthen its own raw material base.