RKI.news | Sources: Xinhua
PARIS, July 16: Global demand for critical minerals continued to rise strongly in 2025, while investment in the sector declined for the first time in five years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 report said demand for copper, battery materials, rare earths and other key resources remained strong due to growing use in electric vehicles, energy storage, power grids, wind turbines, solar systems and advanced technologies.
Critical mineral prices recovered in 2025 and early 2026 after previous declines. However, investment dropped 9 percent in 2025 amid market uncertainty and supply chain concerns.
The agency warned that geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East, have highlighted risks from concentrated supply chains. The region remains a major supplier of materials such as aluminum, sulfur and helium.
Governments are increasing support for the sector, with public financing commitments reaching about $65 billion in 2025.
The IEA expects demand for critical minerals to nearly double by 2040 under current policy scenarios. It stressed the need for supply chain diversification, stronger technology capacity and increased recycling to address future shortages.