Securing the Future: Critical Minerals at the Nexus of Energy, AI, and Geopolitics

This CIO Special report by DWS Investment GmbH explores how the strategic importance of critical minerals is reshaping global investment priorities, geopolitical alliances, and supply chain policies.

• Critical minerals—essential for clean energy and AI—are highly concentrated in a few nations, exposing markets to major geopolitical and supply chain risks.

• Demand is projected to surge sixfold by 2040, yet permitting delays and underinvestment threaten future supply, especially for copper and rare earths.

• Global alliances, ESG concerns, and technological innovation are now central to managing mineral dependency and fostering sustainable sourcing.

Read the full report for a deeper dive into policy shifts, investment risks, and the evolving role of critical minerals in future-proofing portfolios.