Critical minerals are ‘oil of 21st century’ as demand fuels poverty and pollution in poorer countries

Rush for lithium, cobalt and nickel is ravaging livelihoods, water and health of world’s most vulnerable, UN study says Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel are becoming the “oil of the 21st century” as the scramble for precious metals deepens poverty and creates public health crises in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, a has found.The investigation by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health () concluded that the growing demand for used in batteries and microchips is draining water supplies, eroding agriculture and exposing communities to toxic heavy metals.