Inconvenient Truths on Metal Requirements for the Green Transition – Further Insights and SDGs

This paper emphasises the fundamental role of geology in the circular economy, advancing the green transition, and achieving meaningful progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Over-reliance on the circular economy concept tends to obscure the necessity of funding successful mineral exploration, as does the drift away from grass-roots exploration by many multinational mining, oil, and gas companies. Incorrect assumptions regarding the supply, use, and recycling of raw materials in the green economy are identified. The immovable nature of mineral deposits and their inherent composition continues to pose a challenge for policymakers, environmental advocates, and intergovernmental organisations alike. The paper highlights that without successful mineral exploration many of the SDGs are unachievable.