The future of the global minerals and metals sector : issues and challenges out to 2050

For the foreseeable future, minerals and metals will continue to underpin the global economy. Transport, energy, manufacturing, health, agriculture and housing are likely to remain heavily dependent on raw materials derived from Earth resources – ‘if you can’t grow it, you have to mine it’. This article considers the future of the global minerals and metals sector. It will examine some of the key technical, environmental and socio-economic factors liable to impact on minerals and metals supply and demand over the next 40 years.