HCSS Centre for Strategic Studies

Scarcity of Minerals: a Strategic Security Issue

(01/15/10)

This report analyses whether minerals will be scarce in the future and examines the security and strategic implications. Will states use access to or possession of minerals as a strategic resource? Will relations between states that have access to minerals and those that don’t change due to scarcity? Are future wars about minerals rather than oil, territory or water?