The Falkland Islands
Critical minerals, policy, and the energy transition
The Energy Transition in the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, are best known for their geopolitical significance rather than mineral output. While not currently a major player in global critical mineral supply chains, the islands are quietly positioning themselves within broader discussions on environmental sustainability, energy resilience, and strategic self-sufficiency. With no native fossil fuel production and a reliance on imported diesel, the local government has committed to a gradual transition toward renewable energy sources, primarily wind and solar to reduce emissions, enhance energy security, and lower long-term costs. Exploration interest in offshore oil and gas reserves has added complexity to the territory’s energy narrative, intersecting with contested sovereignty claims and environmental concerns. While mineral development remains limited, the Falklands’ future role may hinge more on its governance standards, ecological stewardship, and maritime jurisdiction.
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.
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Uninhabited and protected, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are a South Atlantic base for conservation and climate monitoring.
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
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