Securing Minerals for Energy and Technologies
Critical minerals have risen to the top of the global policy agenda, central to energy security and economic competitiveness. Demand is growing rapidly, driven by energy systems, digital infrastructure, AI and defence, yet supply remains constrained by underinvestment, trade restrictions and the concentration of extraction and refining in a small number of countries. Without coordinated action, these constraints risk undermining the energy transition, digital transformation and global economic security. SMET is a collaboration between the World Economic Forum and McKinsey, as the initiative’s knowledge partner, to progress the agenda on critical minerals for energy and technologies.
Featured Collaboration
White Paper
Advancing Latin America’s critical minerals potential
This report identifies how Latin America can translate its critical minerals endowment into lasting competitiveness, focusing on six priority areas: infrastructure, technology and innovation, financing, policy, social impact, and talent.
White Paper
Securing minerals for the energy transition: Finance for Southern Africa
This paper outlines practical solutions to accelerate investment in Southern Africa’s clean energy and critical minerals value chains.
White Paper
Securing minerals for the energy transition: Unlocking the value chain through policy, investment and innovation
This paper explores various approaches for unlocking critical minerals supply. It identifies barriers to investment and innovation in critical minerals and associated solutions for addressing them.
Report
Securing minerals for the energy transition
This report identifies 10 high-priority risk management strategies for access to minerals essential for the ongoing energy transition.
Article
Investing in innovation will secure vital critical minerals for the energy transition – here's where to start
The energy transition is spurring greater demand for critical minerals, the foundation of low-carbon-energy technologies. By taking action today and working collaboratively, the industry, governments and investors can provide the support and financing needed to develop, scale and deploy these innovations.
Article
Securing critical minerals for energy transition requires collective action
There is a supply and demand gap for the critical minerals necessary for the energy transition. The Securing Minerals for the Energy Transition initiative has identified the risks and implications of this gap and how to manage it.
Insights from industry leaders
Report
Global Energy Perspective 2026
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The system is becoming more uncertain—not less. Energy demand is growing, AI is creating a new source of power demand, geopolitics is reshaping supply chains, and affordability and security have moved alongside decarbonization as defining considerations.
Report
Global Materials Perspective 2025
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Materials profitability and cash positions were strong in 2024. Looking ahead, success likely requires capturing growth while improving productivity and delivering sustainable solutions.
Interactive
Resetting expectations for the energy and materials transition
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As a reality gap emerges between net-zero goals and the actions needed to achieve them, what happens in the energy and materials sectors will determine the pace of low-carbon technology rollout.
Report
The net-zero materials transition: Implications for global supply chains
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To provide critical materials for the energy transition, the metals and minerals industries must adapt their global supply chains.
Article
The raw-materials challenge: How the metals and mining sector will be at the core of enabling the energy transition
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As the world gears up for net zero, demand for raw materials is set to soar. The energy transition presents unique challenges for metals and mining companies, which will need to innovate and rebuild their growth agenda.
