The IEA reports a 9% decline in critical-mineral investment in 2025, ending several years of growth. Price volatility and geopolitical uncertainty complicated project decisions. Its 2026 outlook also highlights equipment bottlenecks, skills shortages, and the difficulty of diversifying refining capacity.
Perspective
A compelling resource base is one part of a project. Execution also depends on capital, processing technology, workforce capability, and realistic development timelines.
Source & attribution
International Energy Agency · 2026 report
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This is an original summary of third-party reporting. The perspective paragraph is editorial interpretation. Source organizations are not represented as LME partners or endorsers. Forecasts reflect their publication date and may change.
International Energy Agency · 2026 report
Read the original source ↗
This is an original summary of third-party reporting. The perspective paragraph is editorial interpretation. Source organizations are not represented as LME partners or endorsers. Forecasts reflect their publication date and may change.