FUTURE-FACING METALS

Driving demand:
Defence

We live in uncertain but exciting times. Defence has become more of a priority than it has been for the past half-century, but technological innovations – AI and robotics, electrification and renewable power, and a multitude of smart gadgets – promise to reshape our world as a cleaner and more productive one.

This new world needs new minerals and industrial sectors are having to learn more about a family of vital but obscure metals like titanium, zirconium, hafnium, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium.

FUTURE-FACING METALS

Driving demand:
Technology

Demand for critical minerals is being driven by growth in advanced technology. Titanium is widely used in aerospace and industrial applications, while zirconium and hafnium are important for nuclear technologies, semiconductors and high-performance alloys. Rare earth elements neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium are essential for the powerful magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics and electronics. As supply security becomes increasingly important, exploration projects targeting these minerals are attracting strong investor interest.

FUTURE-FACING METALS

What this future requires:
Titanium

Titanium’s Properties: High-strength, low-density transition metal known for exceptional corrosion resistance, high heat resistance, and biocompatibility

Stat: Titanium makes up some 40% of an advanced fighter jet’s structural weight

FUTURE-FACING METALS

What this future requires:
Zirconium

Zirconium’s Properties: Ductile transition metal with high corrosion resistance, density, and melting point

Stat: <1 mol% of zirconium oxide enhances the safety and performance of EV batteries

FUTURE-FACING METALS

What this future requires:
Hafnium

Hafnium’s Properties: Similar to zirconium in malleability, density and melting point and also generally hosted by the same minerals

Stat: 3D-stacked logic and memory integration needs ultra-thin layers of hafnium-based materials typically 2-12 nm to maintain high remanent polarisation and stability

FUTURE-FACING METALS

What this future requires:
Neodymium

Neodymium’s Properties: A soft REE that tarnishes rapidly in air but is highly reactive and recognised for forming the strongest permanent magnets available because of its high magnetic anisotropy

Stat: Up to 4kg of neodymium is needed for the actuators, joints and hands for humanoid robots

FUTURE-FACING METALS

What this future requires:
Praseodymium

Praseodymium’s Properties: A malleable and ductile lanthanide metal known for its magnetic and optical properties

Stat: Up to 35kg of praseodymium is needed in the batteries required to manage the workload and heat generated by a large wind turbine

FUTURE-FACING METALS

What this future requires:
Dysprosium & Terbium

Properties: Soft lanthanide metals that can be cut with a knife, characterised by a high melting point, strong magnetism at low temperatures, and stability in dry air. Crucially, they resist ‘demagnetisation’ at high temperatures

Stat: Just over 7mg of dysprosium allows your smart phone to work under intense heat and remain pocket sized