IMPORTANCE OF USING SOME CRITICAL MINERALS IN GREEN ENERGY TRANSITIONS IN CHINA- A REVIEW | ||
| Zagazig Journal of Agricultural Research | ||
| Volume 52, Issue 4, July and August 2025, Pages 861-876 PDF (1.65 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/zjar.2025.451798 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Sadiq A. A. . Abdullah* 1; I. M. Abdel-Hamid1; W. I. Elwan2 | ||
| 1Nat. and Env. Res. Dept., Fac. Graduate Asian Studies, Zagazig Univ., Egypt | ||
| 2Geology Dept., Fac. of Sci., Zagazig Univ., Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This review examines the essential function of critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements, copper and platinum group metals, in facilitating China's transition to clean energy. As the nation intensifies its move towards renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, these minerals are vital for manufacturing renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles (EVs), especially in lithium-ion batteries utilized for energy storage. The review highlights China's leading position in the global supply chain for these critical minerals, emphasizing the country's strategic oversight of mineral extraction, refining, and processing, which establishes it as a key player in the worldwide energy transition. It also investigates the geopolitical ramifications of China's mineral supply and the potential vulnerabilities linked to its dependence on foreign critical mineral sources, alongside its initiatives to secure domestic resources. Additionally, the environmental consequences of mineral extraction and processing in China are addressed, focusing onsustainability challenges related to mining practices, such as water usage, land degradation, and pollution. Ethical considerations, including labor conditions in mineral-rich areas, are also discussed. The review assesses the policies and subsidies that China has enacted to bolster the development of its clean energy sector, encompassing initiatives for renewable energy implementation, electric vehicle manufacturing, and critical mineral procurement. China's governmental strategies, such as the "Made in China 2025" initiative, are analyzed in relation to their influence on the future of clean energy and mineral extraction within the country. Moreover, the review explores technological advancements that may lessen reliance on critical minerals, including innovations in battery chemistries and recycling methods. The review also explores the possibility of replacing rare minerals with more readily available substitutes, as well as the associated challenges and opportunities that these innovations present. In summary, it offers an in-depth analysis of the relationship between essential minerals and the transition to clean energy in China. It highlights the necessity of ensuring a sustainable and ethically sourced supply of these minerals while promoting technological advancements and supportive policies to propel China's green energy transformation. The results emphasize the importance of international cooperation and a balanced strategy regarding mineral extraction, environmental sustainability, and economic development in the quest for a low-carbon future | ||
| Keywords | ||
| energy transition; critical minerals; low-carbon and China | ||
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