CommoditiesMedium•6 March 2026•
1 min read

UN Projects Critical Minerals Demand to Triple by 2030 Amid Energy Transition

Key Facts

1Demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel reached $2.5 trillion last year.
2The UN projects that demand for these minerals could triple by 2030.
3These minerals have shifted from limited strategic importance a decade ago to vital assets for the energy transition.

The United Nations reports that the market for critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, and nickel, reached a staggering $2.5 trillion last year. International projections suggest that demand for these essential commodities could triple by 2030 as the global energy transition accelerates. These minerals have evolved from niche strategic assets a decade ago into vital components for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. UN Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo highlighted that the rapid shift toward green energy has transformed these materials into high-stakes strategic commodities. The massive projected increase in demand provides a long-term bullish outlook for mining companies and specialized ETFs such as LIT and REMX. As nations race to secure supply chains, these minerals are poised to remain at the forefront of the global economic and environmental agenda.