If one day China, Congo or Chile tighten the supply of strategic metals, will the global electric vehicle, AI and renewable energy industries fall into a crisis even greater than the 1973 oil shock?
The twentieth century was shaped by oil. The country that controls oil holds economic, military and geopolitical power. But entering the 21st century, a silent transfer of power is taking place. Metals such as lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt and rare earths are emerging as the “new oil” of the global economy.
It is worth noting that every technology considered the future of humanity depends on these metals.
From electric vehicles, battery storage, offshore wind power, solar power to artificial intelligence and AI data centers, all require huge amounts of minerals to operate.
Why has metal become the number 1 strategic asset?
According to many international studies, an electric car consumes about 6 times more minerals than an internal combustion engine car.
Technology Mineral Usage
Low gasoline engine vehicle
Electric cars are about 6 times higher
Offshore wind power is about 9 times higher than a gas plant
Energy storage system Very high
AI Data Center Strong increase in copper and rare earth demand
This means that when the world reduces its dependence on oil, it increases its dependence on metals.
Without lithium there would be no battery.
Without copper there would be no netcurrent.
Without rare earths there would be no high-performance wind turbines.
Without nickel, it would be difficult to create battery packs with long operating ranges.
The new "kings" of the green economy
Lithium
Is the most important component of lithium-ion batteries.
Application
✅ Electric vehicle
✅ Smartphone
✅ Laptops
✅ Large-scale electricity storage system
Chile, Argentina and Australia currently hold a huge advantage in the global lithium supply chain.
Dong
⚡ Copper is being called "the metal of the future" by many experts.
Role Application
Electrical grid Conducts electricity
Electric vehicle Motor and wiring
AI Data Center Large capacity electrical system
Renewable energy Transmission connection
It is forecast that copper demand may increase sharply in the coming decades as AI and electrification develop.
Rare earth
It is the foundation of high-tech industry.
Appears in
Wind power turbine
Electric vehicle engine
Smartphones
Military radar
Modern missile system
This is also an area where China has a huge advantage in refining activities.
Nickel and Cobalt
Two important materials help electric vehicle batteries have higher energy density.
Thanks to that, electric vehicles can travel farther after each charge.
Companies like Tesla, BYD, Volkswagen and Toyota are all racing to ensure long-term supply.
A new resource war is beginning
If last century the world competed for oil in the Middle East, now the competition is shifting to lithium, cobalt and rare earth mines.
National Resources have a great influence
Lithium Chile, AAustralia, Argentina
Congolese Cobalt
Chinese rare earth
Indonesian Nickel
Chilean, Peruvian Copper
Many countries are building new mineral alliances to reduce supply chain dependence.
The United States, the European Union, Japan and South Korea all consider strategic minerals part of their national security strategies.
Where does Vietnam stand?
Vietnam is assessed to have significant potential in rare earths and some strategic minerals.
In the context of strong global demand, this can become a great opportunity to develop high-tech mining industry, deep processing and participate in new energy supply chains.
However, the problem lies not only in exploitation but also in refining technology, environmental protection and the ability to build a domestic value chain.
A thoughtful perspective
Over the past 100 years, the question of global power has often been
“Who controls the oil?”
But over the next few decades, that question may change to
“Who controls lithium, copper, nickel and rare earths?”
The green energy race is actually not just a technology race. It is also a race to control the metals that are becoming the foundation of the new global economy.
Summary table of the most strategic metals of the 21st century
Metals Key Role Strategic Level
Lithium Electric vehicle battery, power storage ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dong Electric infrastructure, AI, EV ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rare earth Permanent magnets, national defense ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nickel High Density Battery ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cobalt Battery stabilizer ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Graphite Lithium-ion battery cathode ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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