Clean Tech & Minerals Mining

Last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released its Annual Energy Outlook, a much-anticipated report that helps shape America’s energy policy. Once again, this year’s report forecasted a sizeable increase in energy demand through 2040.

What does this mean for the mining sector? One thing is abundantly clear—in order to meet the energy demands of a growing population we’ll need to rely on a wide array of energy sources, many of which are sourced through mining. Notably, the role minerals mining plays in bringing renewable energy to bear is often overlooked, but incredibly important.

From copper and nickel used in solar cells and wind turbines to cobalt and manganese used in hybrid vehicles, minerals are nothing short of essential to America’s new energy technologies.

In fact, just last week E&E News highlighted the connection between mining and renewable technologies:

“If you want clean tech, you need mines,” said Kerry-Ann Adamson, a former research director with Navigant Research. “If you haven't got mines, you are not going to get a battery,” she added. “If you don't have platinum, you are not going to get a fuel cell.”

If America wants to secure an “all of the above” energy policy, we must also invest in establishing reliable, domestic supplies of the minerals that drive diversification in the energy sector.