Critical minerals and energy security

About this episode

This episode discusses the strategic importance of critical minerals for energy technologies and economic security, featuring insights from key industry figures.

Critical minerals are essential for many of today’s energy technologies – and for the broader economy. Lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite, for example, are crucial to battery performance. Rare earth elements are indispensable for the permanent magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicle motors. And electricity networks need huge amounts of aluminium and copper. As demand for these materials rises rapidly, so does their strategic importance. But in recent years, critical mineral supply chains have become more concentrated, not less – demanding greater attention from policymakers and industry. This episode features conversations with Benjamin Gallezot, the critical minerals envoy of France – which holds this year’s G7 Presidency – and Jakob Stausholm, the former CEO of multinational mining group Rio Tinto. Speaking on the sidelines of the IEA’s 2026 Ministerial Meeting in February, they discuss the growing importance of critical minerals for global energy and economic security – and what steps could be taken to strengthen supply chain security and resilience. Tae-Yoon Kim, the head of the IEA’s Critical Minerals Division, also joins the episode to share the latest…

People in this episode

Guests: Benjamin Gallezot, Jakob Stausholm

Topics covered

• critical minerals
• energy security
• supply chain
• battery technology
• renewable energy

Keywords

• critical minerals
• energy technologies
• lithium
• cobalt
• supply chain security

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International Energy Agency, Rio Tinto, France, G7

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