International Energy Agency predicts decline in critical mineral investment in 2025
The International Energy Agency reported that investments in critical minerals decreased by 9% in 2025, despite Western countries' commitments to boost local production for security reasons. It noted that the geographical focus of supply chains, especially in China and Indonesia, increased significantly, with these two nations responsible for more than three-quarters of the growth in refined mineral supply over the past two years. The agency also highlighted that imposing export restrictions on rare metals, particularly from China in April 2025, led to reduced production and raised economic security risks—especially if Beijing further tightens restrictions, which could threaten operations worth approximately $6.5 trillion outside of China. Nonetheless, the agency reported an increase in public funding allocated to critical minerals, and countries such as the United States and Malaysia have begun to reduce China's dominance over mineral refining operations.
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