Countries are increasingly connecting national security to supply and control of different metals and mineral

Gunilla Reischl and her colleagues lead research that explores the relationship between geopolitics, national security and critical raw materials. Since the start of the programme in 2024, these links have become increasingly visible and important – as powerful mineral players such as Russia, the US, and China seek to strengthen their dominance over precious metals and minerals.

A woman, Gunilla Reischl. Photo. — “I have gained substantial insights from working with my co-researchers, “ says Gunilla Reischl.

Within the work package, Gunilla and her colleagues have mapped how different countries frame national security in relation to critical raw materials in their policy documents – together with researchers in work package four. They identify how national security is increasingly connected to access, long-term supply and control of different metals and minerals.

“Access to critical raw materials has become a key concern of national security. Recently, more and more countries have begun to develop policies and strategies to protect themselves from growing dependence on China, in particular,” says Gunilla Reischl, senior research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, and leader of work package two in the programme.

Supply and processing of raw materials are geographically concentrated to certain countries like Congo, Canada, Australia and China, with the majority of refinement and processing taking place in China. This has prompted governments to develop strategies to reduce this concentration, for example by investing in new mines, building alliances, and seeking to establish new trade agreements. The last few years’ volatile situation, with wars, trade aggression and threats from Russia and US have further accelerated this trend.

“Many countries are now, in some cases for the first time, developing dedicated mineral strategies in which the issue is increasingly framed as a security concern, rather than solely as a matter of import and export. This is an important development to identify and analyse further“, says Gunilla Reischl.

The work package has also begun analysing how countries are creating new alliances to secure access to critical raw materials. While much of the existing literature has focused on larger players like China, and Russia, Gunilla Reischl and her colleagues focus on how smaller nation states navigate the geopolitical landscape.

“What becomes interesting is the middle power perspective, and the role of smaller states, for example Sweden. How will they act as powers shift? Producers like Canada and Australia will be particularly relevant to follow.”

Gunilla Reischl hopes their work on the geopolitical dimesions of critical raw materials will encourage a broader understanding of the need to balance competing national priorities. While safeguarding access to minerals and metals is important for resilience and security, there is a risk that other perspectives are downplayed or forgotten, particularly in times of war or instability, when security arguments often dominate.

“It is important to look more broadly at these issues. Without sustainable production or strategies for avoiding harm to the environment or local communities, national security will ultimately be undermined. A country becomes vulnerable to, for example, climate change or strong public discontent.”

”Being part of the Mistra Mineral Governance programme has strengthened our ability to examine these challenges systematically”, she explains, noting how the collaboration allows her to draw on expertise from multiple disciplines.

“I have gained substantial insights from working with my co-researchers. It is also evident that effective policy development must be informed by awareness of the broader geopolitical, environmental and societal implications.”