S. Georgia and the S. Sandwich Islands
Critical minerals, policy, and the energy transition
The Energy Transition in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) are remote, uninhabited British Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic, governed by the Falkland Islands. While lacking permanent population or industrial infrastructure, SGSSI holds strategic importance within broader discussions on polar policy, environmental governance, and maritime resource management. The territory is not currently known for critical mineral production, but its location within the Scotia Arc and Southern Ocean makes it geopolitically relevant amidst increasing interest in sub-Antarctic ecosystems and seabed resources. The Government of SGSSI has prioritised environmental protection, operating a large-scale Marine Protected Area and aligning closely with UK and international climate commitments. Though the territory does not contribute directly to energy transition supply chains, it plays a symbolic and regulatory role in global conservation frameworks. As polar and sub-polar regions attract growing geopolitical and scientific attention, SGSSI remains a key frontier in debates over sovereignty, sustainability, and future mineral governance.
The journey of South America's critical minerals
South America's advancement in renewable energy depends significantly on key minerals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, alongside PGMs, rare earths, and minor metals, which are vital for the development of low carbon and future technologies through the support of sustainable mining and innovative policies. This approach highlights the critical role of these minerals in securing a sustainable and energy-independent future. Explore how these critical minerals are central to South America's journey towards sustainable energy transformation.
Argentina
Argentina, a key Lithium Triangle player, is expanding production and leveraging global partnerships to strengthen its role in battery supply chains.
Bolivia
Bolivia, home to vast lithium reserves within the Salar de Uyuni, faces challenges in extraction and infrastructure, affecting its pace in the global lithium market.
Brazil
Brazil, rich in niobium, bauxite, and rare earths, pairs large-scale mining with hydropower dominance, making it a key supplier in clean tech value chains.
Chile
Chile is the world’s second-largest lithium producer and a top exporter of copper, making it central to global energy transition infrastructure and mineral diplomacy.
Colombia
Colombia's wealth in gold, copper, and nickel is tempered by regulatory challenges and conflict-affected zones, complicating its path to secure mineral supply chains.
Ecuador
Ecuador is exploring its copper and gold potential amid rising investment interest, yet faces tensions over environmental protection and Indigenous land rights.
French Guiana
French Guiana prioritises environmental protection over extraction. With gold as its main mineral resource, its growing interest in renewable energy.
Guyana
Guyana’s gold and offshore oil boom fuels rapid growth, but raises questions about balancing extractive wealth with long-term energy sustainability.
Paraguay
Paraguay generates nearly 100% of its electricity from hydropower, offering a renewable energy advantage despite limited mineral production.
Peru
Peru is a global mining heavyweight, exporting copper, silver, and zinc, though political instability and social unrest continue to disrupt its extractive sector.
Suriname
Suriname depends heavily on gold exports, with its mining sector facing environmental and governance pressures in the biodiverse interior.
Uruguay
Uruguay has built one of Latin America’s greenest power grids, running largely on wind and solar, despite a limited presence in the critical minerals space.
Venezuela
Venezuela holds major reserves of oil, gold, and aluminium, but political and economic crises have hindered its mineral development and energy transition.
The Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands lack major mining but are exploring offshore energy, with a focus on energy resilience, the environment, and maritime sovereignty.
Meet the Critical Minerals team
Trusted advice from a dedicated team of experts.
Henk de Hoop
Chief Executive Officer
Beresford Clarke
Managing Director: Technical & Research
Jamie Underwood
Principal Consultant
Ismet Soyocak
ESG & Critical Minerals Lead
Rj Coetzee
Senior Market Analyst: Battery Materials and Technologies
How can we help you?
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