With a looming global deficit in critical minerals, the mining sector has become a cornerstone of economic security, the global energy transition, defense, and technological advancement. Despite this pivotal role, most new critical mineral mining projects run into long delays.

ERM’s new report sheds light on the underlying challenges of new critical mineral mines. To bring them to the surface, ERM analyzed 226 global mine projects in pre-production, interviewed nearly 50 sector insiders, and collected additional data points from expert workshops and the review of relevant open-source materials. We translate the findings into a practical approach to sharply reduce timelines for new critical mineral mines.

Download report & executive summary

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • The key external factors that are eroding the business case of new critical mineral mining projects.
  • How intensified regulatory, community, and environmental scrutiny sharply increases project delays.
  • What key levers mining companies control that have the potential to reduce delays and lower costs.
  • What internal challenges are holding mining companies back from changing course?
  • What a proactive and interconnected sustainability approach looks like to overcome them.
  • How ERM’s roadmap to de-risked and faster critical mineral mining can cut timelines by 5 to 10 years