Top 5 critical minerals projects shaping global supply
As demand for clean energy and electric vehicles rises, securing critical minerals has become a global priority. Lithium, nickel and cobalt are now central to supply chain strategies worldwide. This list highlights five standout minerals projects in 2025 that are shaping the future of energy, mobility and industrial resilience.
Jadar Mine in Serbia
The Jadar Mine in western Serbia, operated by Rio Tinto, is one of the largest lithium-boron deposits in the world. The site holds the unique mineral jadarite, which contains both lithium and boron and could be processed into battery-grade lithium carbonate. This material is critical for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and large-scale energy storage systems.
In 2025 the European Commission recognized Jadar as a strategic project under its Critical Raw Materials Act. If developed to full capacity, the mine could meet up to 90 percent of Europe’s lithium needs, positioning the EU to reduce its reliance on imports from China and South America.
Despite its strategic potential, Jadar has faced significant local opposition. Environmental groups and residents have raised concerns about the project’s impact on water quality, soil health and agriculture. The use of industrial acids in lithium processing has raised the risk of groundwater contamination, leading to protests and political scrutiny.
As of late 2025, the project remains paused as Rio Tinto reassesses project costs and seeks renewed regulatory and public support. Even so, its scale and potential to reshape Europe’s battery supply chain keep it firmly in focus.
Thacker Pass in Nevada
Thacker Pass, located in Nevada’s McDermitt Caldera, contains the largest known lithium resource in the United States. Developed by Lithium Americas, the project is designed to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate using claystone extraction, a relatively new approach in commercial lithium mining.
The project’s first phase targets 40,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, with a second phase potentially doubling that output. Over its multi-decade lifespan, Thacker Pass could become a key domestic source of lithium for EV manufacturers and battery producers.
In 2025 the project advanced significantly after securing a $250 million investment, which helped accelerate site preparation and construction of processing infrastructure. Given the Biden administration’s push for clean energy and domestic critical minerals, Thacker Pass has attracted strong federal and investor support.
Environmental challenges remain. The project has drawn criticism from Indigenous groups and environmental advocates concerned about land rights, water use and ecological disruption. Federal agencies have reviewed and approved the environmental impact assessments, but lawsuits are still pending.
Despite these challenges, Thacker Pass is widely seen as central to America’s long-term energy security and its goal of building a domestic lithium-to-battery supply chain.
Ambatovy in Madagascar
The Ambatovy mine in Madagascar is one of the largest lateritic nickel and cobalt operations in the world. Unlike many newer projects still under development, Ambatovy is already producing significant volumes of these metals, which are essential for high-performance lithium-ion batteries and stainless steel.
The mine is a vertically integrated operation, including mining, processing and export facilities. It produces around 60,000 tonnes of refined nickel and 5,600 tonnes of cobalt per year, according to company disclosures. This makes it one of the few active projects reliably feeding global markets at scale.
Nickel and cobalt are vital for next-generation battery chemistries. While some battery technologies are reducing cobalt use, demand remains high, particularly for applications requiring energy density and stability.
Ambatovy’s location outside the traditional mineral supply hubs of Australia and China also gives it strategic value. Madagascar offers an alternative source of critical minerals, which helps reduce global supply concentration risks.
As supply chain pressures intensify, operating mines like Ambatovy provide the kind of consistent, long-term production that battery and EV manufacturers rely on. Its role in global supply chains is expected to grow, particularly if downstream investments expand to support regional processing capabilities.
Ravensthorpe Nickel Project
The Ravensthorpe Nickel Project in Western Australia is a significant source of nickel and cobalt for the global battery supply chain. The mine contains over 197 million tonnes of ore, grading at 0.6 percent nickel and 0.03 percent cobalt, based on past resource estimates.
Originally developed in the mid-2000s, Ravensthorpe has gone through several operational cycles due to fluctuating nickel prices. It was placed on care and maintenance in 2017 but remains a viable asset as demand for nickel in battery manufacturing grows.
Nickel is critical for battery chemistries such as nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC), which is widely used in electric vehicles. With global EV sales projected to exceed 17 million units in 2025, demand for battery-grade nickel is surging. Ravensthorpe, located in a politically stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction, is well positioned to benefit from this demand.
Australian critical mineral projects benefit from world-class environmental and regulatory frameworks, and Ravensthorpe is no exception. The mine’s potential revival is being closely watched by automakers and battery manufacturers seeking long-term, secure supply contracts.
If reactivated, Ravensthorpe could play a crucial role in supporting global energy transition goals, particularly by providing nickel that meets ethical and environmental standards.
Manono Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Manono Lithium Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is emerging as one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium reserves. Previously known for its tin mining, the region’s pegmatite-hosted lithium deposits have attracted growing international interest.
The project, led by AVZ Minerals, contains high-grade spodumene ore, which is commonly used in lithium hydroxide production. This compound is key to EV battery cathodes, especially in long-range vehicles.
While the DRC is already a dominant supplier of cobalt, tapping into its lithium resources would mark a significant expansion of its role in global battery mineral supply chains. Manono’s strategic potential lies not only in its scale but also in its ability to serve Asian and European markets through planned export corridors.
Infrastructure, governance and security remain key challenges. The DRC’s mining sector faces longstanding issues, including permitting delays, legal disputes and political risk. In 2025, the project encountered legal friction with the Congolese government over ownership rights and export approvals.
Nonetheless, if these issues are resolved, Manono could supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of lithium concentrate annually. That output would place it among the top tier of global lithium producers, offering investors a high-reward prospect in a high-risk environment.
How these projects are reshaping the minerals market
Together, these five projects highlight the critical role of strategic minerals in powering clean energy, digital technologies and economic resilience. They span different regions and stages of development but all reflect the urgency of securing sustainable and diverse mineral supply chains.
Europe is looking inward with projects like Jadar, while the US is betting on domestic supply from Thacker Pass. In the Global South, Ambatovy and Manono offer access to essential metals with substantial geopolitical significance. Meanwhile, Australia’s Ravensthorpe project shows how legacy mining assets are being repositioned to meet new market needs.
As the global energy transition accelerates, investors and policymakers will increasingly rely on a mix of developed and emerging mineral sources. These projects are leading that shift and helping shape the next era of global resource security.