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Recently, the minerals that play an essential role in facilitating a smooth transition toward clean energy have witnessed a steep surge, reaching an astounding USD 320 billion in the last year. However, this market still grapples with several significant challenges, such as unstable prices, supply chain complexities, and geopolitical conflicts.

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According to the International Energy Agency, the demand for minerals that support the optimal functioning of electric cars, wind turbines, solar panels, etc., is pivotal to the clean energy transition and has increased twofold over the last five years, indicating a significant shift towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released its first annual Critical Minerals Market Review, which highlights that this demand is largely driven by the deployment of clean energy technologies, such as solar plants, wind farms, and electric vehicles, which require a greater amount of minerals compared to fossil fuel-powered systems.

The shift towards clean energy has led to a significant rise in demand for these minerals, with the energy sector being the primary contributor. The report reveals that from 2017 to 2022, demand for lithium tripled, while demand for cobalt increased by 70 percent and demand for nickel rose by 40 percent.

The energy industry is currently experiencing rapid growth, opening up new opportunities for various stakeholders. However, this growth is accompanied by a range of factors that pose significant risks to secure and swift energy transitions. These include unstable price variations, hindrances in the supply chain, and geopolitical concerns, among others.

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Of particular concern is the availability of critical mineral supplies, which will play a crucial role in ensuring affordable and timely energy transitions. In light of recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there have been major disruptions to commodity markets, resulting in price increases. The IEA Critical Minerals Market Review has highlighted the impact of these disruptions, with prices rising significantly in 2021 and early 2022.

According to Procurement Resource, the market for energy transition minerals hit a staggering USD 320 billion and is expected to continue growing rapidly. This growth is fueled by the increasing use of clean energy technologies like electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. As a result, there is also a higher demand for minerals like lithium, copper, and nickel, leading to a rise in their prices.