Minor metals and Minerals
Industrial metals and essential nutrients
Bridging nutrients to industrial metals for global innovation
The minor metals markets encompass a niche but crucial segment of the global metals industry, focusing on metals that are often produced as by-products of the extraction and refining of major metals like copper, zinc, and lead. Given their critical importance in modern technology and green energy solutions, the demand for minor metals has been steadily increasing. However, their supply is inherently volatile and unpredictable, largely dependent on the production rates and market demands for their parent metals. This unique supply chain dynamic makes the minor metals markets particularly sensitive to shifts in the global economy, technological advancements, and changes in environmental policies and regulations. Minor metals play essential roles in various advanced technologies and industries, including electronics, renewable energy (solar panels and wind turbines), aerospace, automotive (particularly in electric vehicles), and telecommunications. The interconnectedness with major metal markets, their critical applications, and supply chain challenges render the minor metals markets a fascinating and complex area of the global metals industry. Find out more below.
Essential nutrients
Nutrient ions play critical roles in various bodily functions, making salts indispensable for life and are vital for the proper functioning of all cells, tissues, and organs in the human body.
Potassium is the key element in potash fertilizers, providing the necessary nutrient for plant growth. In agriculture, potassium is one of the three primary macronutrients, along with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), denoted as the "K" in the N-P-K ratio on fertilizer labels. This nutrient is crucial for several plant physiological processes, including water uptake, enzyme activation, and photosynthesis.
Non-metals
These elements play critical roles in various fields, from electronics and manufacturing to biochemistry and pharmaceuticals, highlighting their versatility and indispensability in natural processes and human-made applications.
Transition metals
Transition metals are diverse elements known for their remarkable properties and wide-ranging applications advancing technology and industry, each contributing uniquely to innovations and solutions in various fields due to their unique characteristics and significant contributions to modern technology and engineering.
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
Dr Sandeep Kaler
Market Strategy Analyst
How can we help you?
SFA (Oxford) provides bespoke, independent intelligence on the strategic metal markets, specifically tailored to your needs. To find out more about what we can offer you, please contact us.