Battery minerals are the essential ingredients powering the growing global demand for lithium-ion batteries, used in everything from electric vehicles and electronics to renewable energy storage.
Key minerals include:
- Lithium: The star of the show, crucial for the cathode (positive electrode).
- Nickel & Cobalt: Key players in the cathode, offering different performance characteristics.
- Manganese: Another cathode component, that impacts battery cost and performance.
- Graphite: Crucial for the anode (negative electrode).
- Rare Earth: Used in specialized magnets for high-performance batteries.
As countries and corporations ramp up their decarbonization efforts, the role of these minerals has intensified, taking center stage in global trade movements and geopolitics, primarily due to the indomitable presence China has in this sector.
