Critical minerals: A criticality assessment approach

摘要: We review the state of the art of minerals criticality assessment (MCA) from different perspectives. In its short history since 2008, MCA has typically involved the use of multicriteria decision analysis, but new methods, including agent-based models, have the potential to be better predictive tools. We also review the indicators of criticality and discuss the challenges for the minerals industry in responding to the need to diversify supply in critical minerals markets. Scarcity in the earth’s crust is not a reliable independent indicator of mineral criticality, but other forms of scarcity that manifest in a predominance of coproduction are important. The availability of global pricing, contracting, and price-risk management mechanisms is less mature for critical minerals markets, and there is potential value in framing an indicator of criticality on this topic and also considering market deficiencies in this regard as targets for intervention …