Global Scans · Resource Scarcity · Weekly Summary

• [New] Human-caused global warming is disrupting the global water cycle in ways that could bring severe water scarcity sooner than expected. Newsweek
• [New] Recycling technologies will advance rapidly with policy support, potentially creating significant secondary supply streams for certain critical minerals within the decade. Discovery Alert
• [New] As the world moves toward sustainable energy solutions, the control of critical minerals like lithium will play a crucial role in shaping future economic and industrial landscapes. Visegrad Post
• [New] Persistent challenges remain, including the inherently high energy consumption of advanced node manufacturing, the projected surge in demand for AI chips, water scarcity in regions with major fabs, and the complexity of managing global Scope 3 emissions. FinancialContent
• [New] Technology plays a vital role in helping mining companies meet the rapidly growing global demand for critical minerals by enhancing operational efficiency, transparency, and compliance while reducing environmental and social risks. Mining.com
• [New] Geopolitical uncertainty has emerged as a central risk for mining companies striving to meet the booming demand for critical minerals in 2025. Mining.com
• [New] A: Recycling will become increasingly important, potentially supplying 25-30% of some critical minerals by 2040, but cannot fully replace primary production during periods of rapid demand growth. Discovery Alert
• [New] A: Copper faces potential significant deficits in the 2030s based on current development pipelines, while rare earth elements used in permanent magnets (neodymium, dysprosium) may face earlier constraints due to concentrated production. Discovery Alert
• [New] Water stress could become particularly severe in the western U.S., the Mediterranean, northern Africa, southern Africa, India, northern China, and southern Australia as demand rapidly outpaces supply. Gizmodo
• [New] In Critical Minerals and Energy, India and Canada will strengthen cooperation on lithium, cobalt, and rare earths supply chains, collaborate on civil nuclear energy programs, and conduct joint research in green energy. Guidely
• Global Warming is accelerating the risk of multi-year droughts that can lead to extreme water scarcity, threatening water demands in cities, agriculture, and livelihoods worldwide, already within the coming decades. EurekAlert!
• Many parts of the world are predicted to endure day-zero droughts, periods of extreme and unprecedented water scarcity, which could happen as soon as this decade in certain hotspots including parts of North America, the Mediterranean and southern Africa. CNN
• When water scarcity becomes a global problem in the future, the Guarani Aquifer might be a lifeline for millions of people. Worldly Known
• 25% of the Indonesian population may experience water scarcity by 2030 due to rainfall variability. The Council on Strategic Risks - Anticipating, Analyzin
• The International Energy Agency expects a 50 to 60% increase in demand for cobalt and rare earth elements over the next fifteen years, and a likely global shortfall in copper and lithium in the next ten. Milken Institute
• Greenland's critical minerals reserves and Arctic access could come with U.S. strategic benefits. Council on Foreign Relations
• By 2027, 80% of the value of critical minerals in EV batteries must come from North America or nations with U.S. free trade agreements. Premium Autos Inc
• Whilst there is no immediate risk to defence applications, we have to look into the long-term and realise that Australia is in a position where we can and should take up the responsibility to lead on rare earths and critical minerals globally, so that we are the alternative supplier. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• Boosting manufacturing of clean energy and digital technologies in the US and the EU will require substantially greater volumes of critical minerals for solar energy, wind power, semiconductors and other goods and technologies. Tess

Last updated: 11 October 2025