Secure, Sovereign, Supplied? The New Critical Minerals Race

18 September 2026

Critical minerals supply chains have moved from an efficiency problem to an economic-security and industrial-strategy problem. Export restrictions, geopolitical competition, volatile prices and heavy concentration in processing have made governments more willing to use public finance, strategic offtake, stockpiling and allied partnerships to create alternative supply.

The challenge is translating sovereignty from policy intent into commercially durable projects. No country can be self-sufficient across every mineral and processing stage, so resilience depends on trusted partners, investable infrastructure, functioning midstream capacity and market signals that reward diversification without fragmenting trade or weakening responsible production.

The speakers in this podcast are: 

• Helaina Matza: Chief Strategic Development Officer, TechMet Ltd
• Photinie Koutsavlis: Vice President, Economic Affairs and Climate Change, Mining Association of Canada 

This episode explores how mineral sovereignty can strengthen supply security without pursuing unrealistic self-sufficiency. The speakers examine the partnerships, infrastructure, investment and market interventions needed to build resilient critical mineral supply chains. They also consider how success can be measured through commercially viable projects, responsible production and fewer supply vulnerabilities.

This episode is part of the TDi Sustainability (https://www.tdi-sustainability.com/) special series of podcasts produced in advance of the Resourcing Tomorrow 2026 event that will take place in London between 1-3 December. Find out more about the event here. (https://resourcingtomorrow.com/)