{"id":50053160,"date":"2022-04-26T18:46:45","date_gmt":"2022-04-26T17:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.dialogochino.net\/?p=53160"},"modified":"2024-04-12T14:43:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T14:43:46","slug":"53160-the-risks-and-rewards-of-the-minerals-required-for-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"explainer","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/energy\/53160-the-risks-and-rewards-of-the-minerals-required-for-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"The risks and rewards of the minerals required for the energy transition"},"content":{"rendered":"

In order to limit global temperature rises, the world will have to undergo an urgent energy transition that will leave the fossil fuel era behind. Yet, the technologies that support this, such as solar and wind power<\/a>, or electric cars, require the extraction of large quantities of the various minerals used in their production. An electric vehicle, for example, requires six times<\/a> more mineral resources than a conventional one, while an onshore wind power plant requires nine times more mineral input than a gas facility.<\/p>\n

As the world advances in climate-friendly energy, demand for certain minerals that are found in the subsoil throughout Latin America will increase, begging the question: are there enough resources to meet the needs of a new energy era? What negative impacts will extraction cause for the environment, and how can we mitigate them? This is what we know so far.<\/p>\n

What minerals are required for the transition and how are they used?<\/h2>\n

While lithium and rare earth elements have attracted newfound attention for their transformative potential for energy storage, traditionally mined metals such as copper, nickel, manganese, graphite, and zinc also have an important role to play \u2013 and their demand will also increase. These metals and minerals are key components in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines and other emissions-free energy sources that mitigate global temperature rises.<\/p>\n

All new energy technologies use these minerals in different proportions, but EV batteries are the most demanding, particularly for lithium, which enables strong battery performance and longevity.<\/p>\n

Demand for lithium is estimated to increase<\/a> 40-fold by 2040. Demand for graphite, cobalt and nickel is expected to grow by between 20 and 25 times. Charging networks for EVs consist of numerous cables that require a large amount of copper, demand for which is expected to double over the same period. In 2021, demand for copper from Chile, the world\u2019s largest producer, already increased by around 80% compared to the previous year, according to BBC Mundo<\/a>.

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