Critical Minerals Market Assessment in Developing Countries
Accelerating the deployment of innovative technologies currently in the prototype or demonstration phase in developing countries is crucial to a just transition to global net-zero energy systems, in line with the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Innovations are particularly needed in resource efficiency, low-carbon recycling, and circular economy solutions in the value chains of critical minerals—such as copper, nickel, lithium, and cobalt—that are essential components of renewable energy systems.
CCSI, in partnership with Columbia Engineering, is undertaking a market assessment—based on the collection and analysis of primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data—to strategically evaluate innovative clean energy technologies within the critical minerals sector across developing countries. The assessment focuses on the midstream and downstream segments of the mining value chain.
The Columbia University team is leveraging its extensive network of stakeholders and its deep technical knowledge to make a significant contribution to the sustainability of critical mineral value chains and to the global energy transition. Public dissemination of the project deliverables is expected to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.
The project is supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through its Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility, launched in May 2023 to accelerate the commercialization of innovative clean energy technologies in developing countries.