Critical Minerals Corner, Jack Lifton and Byron King discuss the coming War for Green Energy

In this episode of the Critical Minerals Corner, Tracy Weslosky is joined by Critical Minerals’ industry expert and InvestorIntel Editor-in-Chief, Jack Lifton, and Critical Minerals Corner Co-Host & InvestorIntel Columnist, Byron King, to discuss how the world is heading towards an energy crisis as covered in Byron’s recent column published on InvestorIntel titled - Energy Rundown: 2022, A New Year of Living Dangerously.

In this InvestorIntel interview, the panelists discussed how energy security ties in with economic development, and why the world is presently not in a position to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels to zero. They went on to discuss the global push towards green energy and electric vehicles, which has caused a significant increase in prices for critical materials such as lithium, nickel, and the rare earths. Explaining why there is "nothing green about green energy", the panel also discussed solutions to the impending energy crisis.

#EnergyCrisis #FossilFuel #ElectricVehicles

[paulbradford]

I really hate to say it, but the government (U.S.) will have to take a greater role in allocating vastly more taxpayer funding to defense and core industrial development (mining, manufacturing and nuclear development) in order to catch up to and pass China. It can be done, just like the industrial buildup during WW2, but handouts to social programs and bowing to the green lobby are a distraction and a sure road to poverty, both societal and economic.

[rareearthsinvestor]

Very interesting discussion. You gentlemen are looking at the theory vs practicality of these critical metals related to green’ energy present and future supply vs demand issues. Thanks for acknowledging that despite these perceived ‘discrepancies’ there are investments to be made.


I listen to you specifically, from a RE investor perspective. Your view that the driving forces in the US and ROW lack basic knowledge about geology, mining and processing, etc., in fact, brings to mind the amount of money that in particular, the US (strategic and private) has thrown at various sectors over the decades. This mix of ‘blind’ moves and understanding has enabled some companies to flourish in such past environments (even become behemoths), while the majority never even begin to emerge or soon fall to the wayside.


Agreed, China is still going to dominate RE but this is not going to stop N. America and the ROW from advancing RE projects. China has enough issues to concern itself with re., its own internal supply for its huge consumers market (not to mention ESG issues coming), to be overly concerned with the smaller chains that may emerge outside.


Further, as I often suggest, politics, IMO, is also going to drive the critical metals sector in the US. I would posit that when it comes to political survival you simply can’t get a stronger driving force behind a perceived US (party in power) ‘need’; i.e., electoral promises and party dogma.


Informed and selective RE investors are going to be happy to at least 2024, IMHO.

[percyhaskell]

It seems to be the same old story here. Canada and/or US needs to build separation plants and kick-start industry. But they won't as usual because of politics.