Global demand for critical minerals is set to surge from 7.1 million tonnes in 2020 to 42.3 million tonnes by 2050, driven by the push for clean energy technologies and other high-tech industries. Secure supply chains will be crucial for scaling up clean-energy infrastructure like wind turbines and advanced batteries.

Southeast Asia, rich in key minerals such as nickel, tin, rare-earth elements, and bauxite, is poised to become a major supplier. However, establishing robust downstream processing while meeting high environmental standards presents a significant challenge.

As such, the region will need collaboration with experienced countries like Australia, India, Japan, the US, China, and European nations to become a critical mineral hub. It is a region ripe with opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs.

Article by Han Phoumin for ASPI’s The Strategist. Read more here or in the PDF below.