Impact pathways: geopolitics, risk and ethics in critical minerals supply chains

Purpose
This pathway paper highlights how geopolitics, risk and ethics affects Critical Minerals supply chains. It identifies pathways to enable operations and supply chain management scholars to support this under-researched industry.

Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research was undertaken in partnership with the Critical Minerals International Alliance (CMIA). Interviews were conducted with senior industry leaders from across critical minerals supply networks.

Findings
The critical minerals industry is distinctly different from conventional supply chains and would greatly benefit from the development and application of operations and supply chain management theories.

Research limitations/implications
The four pathways that require scholars’ attention comprise risk & resilience, supply chain opacity, supply constraints and ethics.

Practical implications
Critical minerals are essential for products such as smart phones and the technologies required for decarbonisation and achieving net-zero. The pathways address multifaceted challenges of benefit to industry stakeholders.

Social implications
Improving the understanding of critical mineral supply chains will support the decarbonisation agenda. Reducing the opacity within supply chains would help address governance issues and curb unethical behaviours.

Originality/value
This paper draws on the expertise and insights gained from industry leaders. It establishes pathways and proposes theories and research questions for addressing the impact of geopolitics on critical mineral operations and supply chains.