IEA Releases Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025

On May 21, 2025, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025, highlighting significant concerns over the concentration of critical mineral supply chains and the potential risks to global energy security. The report reveals that the top three producers now account for 86% of the market share for key materials such as copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements, up from 82% in 2020. China, in particular, dominates the refining process for 19 of the 20 strategic minerals, holding approximately 75% of the processing capacity. This concentration poses substantial risks, as supply chain disruptions—stemming from trade tensions, environmental events, or technical failures—could lead to significant price increases and reduced industrial competitiveness.