Sectors / 02
Critical minerals & rare earths
Critical supply is concentrated, opaque and exposed to sanctions. We test it before you depend on it.
Three questions, answered with evidence.
010203What we read.
- Mine of originLicence, ownership and the OECD Annex II risks at site.
- Concentrator and smelterIdentity and RMAP status of every processing step.
- Chain of custodyEach transfer to export, and any conflict-affected or high-risk area on the way.
Standards & regulation.
The frameworks we work to in this sector.
Conflict minerals disclosure (3TG).
Due diligence on 3TG imports.
Responsible minerals benchmark.
Strategic materials and concentration.
Cobalt, lithium, nickel, graphite.
Smelter and refiner assurance.
Mine-site responsible mining.
Exchange responsible-sourcing rules.
US forced-labour import presumption.
Quality, environment and safety.
Continuity where supply concentrates.
Where we look.
The official procurement and trade sources we draw on.
Federal materials demand.
Defence supply and strategic materials.
UK above-threshold notices.
EU public procurement.
UN agency procurement.
Direct and invited opportunities.
Related thinking.
Recent notes that bear on this sector.
CBAM’s first real year. The bill is small; the data is not.
The EU carbon border adjustment has charged for embedded emissions since 1 January. Certificates for 2026 imports go on sale in February 2027 and must be surrendered by 30 September 2027. The 2026 charge is small, but it rises every year, and what it costs depends on data most importers do not yet hold.
China’s rare earth pause has two more months. Plan as if it ends.
China’s suspension of its October 2025 rare earth controls was due to end on 10 November. The US–China truce behind it now runs to 10 January 2027. The April 2025 licensing on seven medium and heavy rare earths never stopped. Magnet-dependent supply chains should plan for both.