Analysis of global mining policy development trends in 2025

In 2025, the overall global mining policy continues its tone of transformation, characterizes by the localization of industrial chains, fragmentation of supply chains, and diversification of interests. The strategic game pattern of critical minerals maintains a continuous upgrading trend, with its global attention and competition intensity climbing in tandem. The developed economies such as the United States and the European Union have elevated critical minerals to a major national strategic priority. Domestically, they have refined and implemented strategic plans for critical mineral resources, accelerated the development and production of domestic mineral projects through a combination of diverse policy instruments, state-driven industrial policies as well as fiscal, taxation and financial support policies. Concurrently, they have strengthened trade and foreign investment barriers for critical minerals by means of tariffs and other measures to safeguard national interests. Internationally, to gain an edge in great-power competition, major developed economies including the US and the EU have actively built an alliance and partner network for critical mineral supply chains, continuously consolidated mini-multilateral mechanisms, and advanced bilateral cooperation centered on the mining and processing of rare earths and other critical minerals. These efforts aim to reshape the global critical mineral supply chains in their favor, compete for industrial dominance and geopolitical influence, and accelerate the polarization of competition and cooperation dynamics in the global critical mineral sector. In the meantime, the surging global demand for critical minerals and the scramble among major powers have given rise to diversified interest demands among resource-based developing countries. Some of these countries have improved their mineral resource governance frameworks by revising mining laws, formulating critical mineral strategies and national plans, simplifying licensing procedures, promoting mining rights transfer, and providing financing and tax incentives. They have strived to attract mining investment, extensively participate in the global critical mineral supply chains and value chains, and contribute to the diversification of global critical mineral supply. Other resource-based developing countries seek to break free from their export dependence on raw materials by seizing the opportunities brought by critical minerals. They have strengthened market intervention through measures such as reclaiming mining rights, increasing the participation of local enterprises, and tightening export controls, enhanced state participation in the resource sector, advanced the transformation of the mining industry, and boosted national control power and revenue returns.