Grafito

China's mineral monopoly poses a significant threat to global energy independence as nations scramble for alternatives. With China controlling up to 90% of the processing of critical battery materials like lithium, cobalt, and graphite, countries such as Japan are racing to reduce their reliance on Chinese supply chains. The situation is exacerbated by China's export restrictions on graphite and its dominance in the mining sector, where it owns a substantial portion of cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo and lithium extraction in South America. As Western nations push for green energy solutions, they risk being held hostage by China's strategic control over essential resources. The urgency for diversification is clear, as experts warn that without swift action, the West's ambitions for renewable energy could be jeopardized by geopolitical tensions.