Market Assessment on Critical Minerals Innovation in Developing Countries

Accelerating the deployment of innovative technologies currently in the prototype or demonstration phase in developing countries is crucial to a just transition to global net-zero energy systems, in line with the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Innovations are particularly needed in resource efficiency, low-carbon recycling, and circular economy solutions in the value chains of critical minerals — such as copper, nickel, lithium, and cobalt — that are essential components of renewable energy systems. CCSI, in partnership with Columbia Engineering, has developed a market assessment — based on the collection and analysis of primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data — to strategically evaluate technological innovation in critical mineral value chains in developing countries. The assessment focuses on the midstream (processing and refining) and downstream segments (manufacturing, extraction from secondary sources, and end-of-life treatment). The comprehensive study navigates the nexus of stakeholders, policies, initiatives, financial mechanisms, technologies, and SDG impacts. Starting from an analysis of 30 countries, deep-dives were conducted in three from each developing region: Africa, Asia and the Pacific (ASP), and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Its findings are useful for activities and organizations focused on accelerating innovation in critical minerals in developing countries, such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)'s Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility.