Minerals for the transition
Laurent, Brice
Minerals for the transition - 2025.
5
The article focuses on criticality studies, a form of expert knowledge aimed at anticipating the need for minerals or metals (referred to as “critical resources”) for a given economy. These studies saw significant growth in the 20th century in many countries, particularly during wartime, to guide public action and ensure supply security. By examining two recent criticality studies conducted by the European Commission in 2023 and the French agency in charge of supervising the electric grid (Réseau du transport d’électricité, or RTE) in 2021, we analyse how both institutions frame the environmental issue when considering criticality. We demonstrate that, for the European Commission, the environment is viewed as an external factor influencing the European economy, with potential impacts on metal market prices. In contrast, for the RTE, the environment is framed as a set of material, social, and technical constraints that shape the ability to secure new materials. This second version of criticality raises the question of the desirability of metal extraction in relation to use, which should be debated collectively.
Minerals for the transition - 2025.
5
The article focuses on criticality studies, a form of expert knowledge aimed at anticipating the need for minerals or metals (referred to as “critical resources”) for a given economy. These studies saw significant growth in the 20th century in many countries, particularly during wartime, to guide public action and ensure supply security. By examining two recent criticality studies conducted by the European Commission in 2023 and the French agency in charge of supervising the electric grid (Réseau du transport d’électricité, or RTE) in 2021, we analyse how both institutions frame the environmental issue when considering criticality. We demonstrate that, for the European Commission, the environment is viewed as an external factor influencing the European economy, with potential impacts on metal market prices. In contrast, for the RTE, the environment is framed as a set of material, social, and technical constraints that shape the ability to secure new materials. This second version of criticality raises the question of the desirability of metal extraction in relation to use, which should be debated collectively.
Réseaux sociaux