Geopolitical Uncertainty and Competition for Critical Minerals and Metals

December 5, 2023, 12:00 - 1:30 PM EST
Virtual Session

Market and industry leaders echoed concern over China's surprise October 20th announcement restricting graphite exports, an essential component in clean energy technology. The move follows earlier controls imposed this summer on chip-making metals gallium and germanium.

China is responsible for approximately 60% of critical mineral processing and 90% of graphite. While the short-term effects of recent restrictions are unclear, analysts have long anticipated a looming supply crunch, predicting shortages hitting the electric vehicle market as soon as 2025. The European Union and the United States vowed to secure critical mineral supply chains free of Chinese dependence. China is the largest exporter of more than half of US critical minerals, while the EU completely depends on them.

To date, decoupling and derisking strategies highlighted in the Inflation Reduction Act and the European Critical Raw Materials Act include investment in local processing facilities and foreign extraction joint ventures. Despite recent momentum, much of the larger market remains in its infancy, and the transition to new trade partners through nearshoring and friend shoring needs to happen more quickly.

Join industry experts as we discuss existing and evolving critical mineral and metal supply chains, the role of China and the geopolitical uncertainties and pressures on the global economy, and how the United States and Europe are responding to the increasing demand required for the ongoing energy transition.

This event will be a virtual session via Zoom from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM EST. Additional details will be provided to registered attendees prior to the session.

SPEAKERS

Allison Enck

Allison Enck, senior associate strategist on the Global Commodity Strategy and MENA Research team at RBC Capital Markets.

Steve LeVine

Steve LeVine, senior fellow on the Foresight, Strategy and Risk Initiative at the Atlantic Council and professor at Georgetown University.

Will Talbot

Will Talbot, principal analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

MODERATOR

Carolyn Kissane

Carolyn Kissane serves as the Academic Director of New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and Director of NYU’s SPS Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab. Carolyn Kissane’s areas of thought leadership and entrepreneurship include the Energy Transition, Sustainability Innovation, and Policy, as well as Cybersecurity. Dr. Kissane is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the National Committee on US-China Relations. She serves on the boards of the New York Energy Forum, New York Energy Week, and Clean Start Advisory Board. She was awarded Breaking Energy’s Top Ten New York Women in Energy and Top Ten Energy Communicator. She hosts Fueling our Future, which brings energy and environment experts together for discussion and debate. Dr. Kissane received her Ph.D. from Columbia University.

PROGRAM

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Presentation and Discussion

COST

This session is complimentary for all registrants. Registration is required for event link details.