Headline: Critical minerals: A new player steps in ⭐️ Geopolitical uncertainty “Geopolitical uncertainty has complicated the picture, sowing doubts about where critical minerals might come from. In response, governments around the world have taken swift action to form alliances, craft policies and laws, and fund initiatives that will stabilise their supplies of critical minerals. Their moves have altered the playing field for miners, intensifying competition and risk. ⭐️ Three forms of government action 🗝️ Alliances and agreements Government-to-government strategic partnerships or trade agreements centred on critical minerals collaboration 🗝️ Policy and legislation Laws, policies or regulations created to protect, secure or drive growth in critical minerals and supply chains 🗝️ Funding Direct government funding or government-backed funds to finance ventures in critical minerals and supply chains ⭐️ Noteworthy agreements on critical minerals ⚙️ Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Announced June 2022 Led by the US Department of State, the MSP is intended to stimulate government and private-sector investment. ⚙️ Australia–India Critical Minerals Cooperation Agreement Announced June 2022 Australia and India established this partnership to strengthen cooperation in the development of critical minerals assets and supply chains. ⚙️ US–Japan Critical Minerals Agreement Announced March 2023 This trade deal on battery minerals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and manganese) is meant to help Japanese automakers and critical minerals processors access the benefits of the 2022 US Inflation Reduction Act. ⭐️ Policy and legislation Recently, many countries have introduced legislation addressing critical minerals production, processing and manufacturing. With approximately US$370 billion in spending and tax credits to support clean-energy industries and supply chains, the IRA significantly increases the volume of public capital available for critical minerals investments. ⭐️ US government initiatives in critical minerals ⚙️ Loans ⚙️ Production tax credit ⚙️ Mining incentives ⚙️ Electric vehicle tax credits ⚙️ Research and development grants ⭐️ Funding Another recent trend has seen governments establish funds to invest in critical minerals projects and supply chains. Source: Text by Craig Hutton, LinkedIn https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/energy-utilities-resources/publications/mine.html