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The darkside of high tech & AI
China is a key producer of major minerals & metals, but ore-rich regions are often water scarce in China and mines cannot be relocated. China produces 50% of the world’s steel but 55% of its iron ore is in the Dry 11 provinces. China has been regulating water use in mining with quotas and tech stipulations as well as cracking down on pollution. Such regulatory risks plus circular economies can impact production & be material. They could also disrupt global supply & demand.
China also significantly controls the global supply of irreplaceable but toxic rare earths and critical raw materials, key to our clean & high-tech future. As China says no to pollution and yes to Made in China 2025, what does this mean for our modern tech lifestyles? Discover more in the Big Picture.
China will also be affected by the rise of AI and EVs, which are sucking up precious water and energy resources – see more in our 2024 report “China ICT running dry?” and 2023 report “China ICT transition“. Get on top of recent articles in The Latest.
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