In the final episode of our series, we've gather together a panel of experts who all have an interest in critical mineral mining.Demand for minerals like cobalt, lithium and copper is growing rapidly, as countries turn to green energy solutions. These minerals are used in EV batteries and wind turbines. So what does the future hold? How do countries approach China's dominance in both mining and processing, and what about the environmental and ethical concerns? Presenter: Sam Fenwick
Producer: Lexy O'Connor(Image: Off-shore wind turbines in Denmark. They are located on "Middelgrunden" a few kilometers outside Copenhagen. Credit: Getty Images)
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17:31
The environmental impact of mineral mining
Rising demand for critical minerals to fuel the green energy transition means an expansion of mining around the world. New mines are opening, existing mines are being scaled up. In the fourth programme in our series, we find out about the impact of mineral mining on the planet and for those people both working in the mines and living nearby.We head to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where there are claims that child labour is being used in so called ‘artisanal’ mines and there is little scrutiny of the supply chain. Presenter: Sam Fenwick
Producer: Lexy O'Connor(Image: Artisanal miners carry sacks of ore at a mine near Kolwezi in 2022. Credit: Getty Images)
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20:45
Can Europe build a mineral supply chain?
China’s headstart in market dominance is significant, and its grip on critical mineral supply chains remains tight. The question now is whether other governments can move fast enough — and smart enough — to build something more secure, more sustainable, and less dependent. We head to La Rochelle in western France for a rare look inside one of the world’s biggest rare earth processing plants, and find out what it reveals about Europe’s efforts to build a supply chain of its own.Presenter: Jonathan Josephs
Producer: Matt Lines(Image: A rare earth processing plant in La Rochelle, France, owned by chemicals giant Solvay)
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17:28
China: The mineral superpower
The country dominates the global processing of critical minerals - materials essential to clean energy, defence, and modern manufacturing. In the second part of our series on the global race to secure these resources, we explore how China built its control over the supply chain, from strategic state investment to partnerships abroad.We also head to Indonesia, where Chinese firms are leading the charge in nickel processing. Has one country gained too much power over the world’s green transition?Presenter: Sam Fenwick
Producer: Lexy O’Connor(Image: Labourers work at the site of a rare earth metals mine at Nancheng county, Jiangxi province in 2010. Credit: Getty Images)
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17:29
Critical minerals: The global race is on
They’re essential to the green transition, modern tech, and defence systems—and global demand is soaring. In the first part of our series on critical minerals, we ask what they are, where they're found and why they matter?As countries scramble to secure supplies, we explore the rising geopolitical tensions shaping this fast-growing industry—including the Oval Office standoff between Presidents Trump and Zelensky over a landmark minerals deal.Presenter: Sam Fenwick
Producer: Lexy O’Connor(Image: Hands holding rock samples of critical minerals)
Portugal