Increasing demand for minerals worldwide may lead to shortages that impede transition towards a greener economy. For instance, to produce one hybrid car, it requires approximately 1 kilogram of neodymium, a so-called rare-earth element. Currently, the production totals 7000 tons a year and the most important producer of neodymium, China, has imposed restrictions on the export of this element. What does this mean for policy plans of, for instance, Dutch Transport Minister Eurlings to have 1 million electric cars on the roads in 2025?

In our latest report 'Mineral Scarcity: a strategic security issue' we analyze whether the scare of mineral scarcity is realistic and what security implications this may have. Will states use access to or possession of minerals as a strategic resource? Will relations between states that have access to minerals and those that don’t change due to scarcity? Are future wars about minerals rather than oil, territory or water?

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