To what extent is Denmark vulnerable to mineral supply shortage?

Abstract

Mineral resources are building blocks of modern society and essential for progress and prosperity. Mankind has always depended on access to mineral raw materials, which have been a key factor for wealth, culture and development. Modern societies are characterised by a rapidly increasing demand for specialised mineral raw materials, determined by their stage of technological development, the number of consumers, and their standard of living. Generally, the availability of mineral raw materials has not, until recently, been considered an issue by the average consumer or by companies in the downstream end of the value chains, and mineral resources have not been part of the political agenda. In this context China’s control over rare-earth elements (REE) has been an eye opener to both industry and politicians worldwide, and has subsequently led to discussions about the possible exhaustion of finite resources and potential threats to the availability of raw materials caused by geopolitical tension and market restrictions.