The largest hot desert in the world is not all desert. As strange as it sounds, the Sahara is only 25% dunes, and the rest comprises mountains and rocky plains. Hidden within this hot desert is a black spot that contains 50 billion tons of a highly valuable mineral. According to experts, this particular black spot’s mineral could power Earth for 50 years. Not only that, but it plays a crucial role in the renewable energy sector. However, there is a new kid on the block that could potentially kick the Sahara to the curb.
The importance of minerals in the renewable energy sector
Nations worldwide are racing to meet the deadline of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. The overall goal is noble, as this race forms part of a greater mission to mitigate the effects of climate change. According to the United Nations, without this mission, Earth’s temperatures will rise, we will experience extreme weather conditions, and the ocean levels will rise.
These events will result in food production disruptions, population displacements, strains on water and energy, and threaten human health. This is why renewable technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels are important in mitigating climate change, as they decrease emissions and pollution.
Since the demand for renewable technologies has skyrocketed, so have the components that are crucial for their production and operation. These components, of which many are valuable minerals, are especially important for energy storage systems. One such mineral can be found in a hot spot in the Sahara Desert.
The Sahara is a hot spot for one particular mineral
Within the Western Sahara region, there is a spot that has made Morocco the world leader in minerals exports in 2019, according to the 2019 Minerals Yearbook published by USGS. Morocco has occupied the Western Sahara since 1975, after the non-violent Green March following the withdrawal of Spain from the region, as per reports by Rulac.
The Western Sahara and Morocco have a reserve of 50 billion tons of phosphate rocks. This reserve accounted for nearly 70% of the global reserve. According to the European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform, phosphate plays a crucial role in renewable technologies for these reasons:
- Solar panels
- Phosphorus is crucial for solar panel manufacturing
- Energy storage
- Phosphate is a crucial component for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries
- Microchips and electronics
- Phosphorus is crucial for microchip and semiconductor manufacturing
As the world’s demand for safe and reliable energy storage systems increased, so has the popularity of LFP batteries, and China has been using it as a silver blade to threaten the likes of Tesla in the EV industry. Now, a new kid on the block could kick the Sahara to the curb to be the new leader in global exports.
A new kid on the block’s power potential could kick the Sahara to the curb
According to SupercarBlondie, a reserve of 70 billion tonnes has been discovered by Norge Mining in Norway. Researchers believe that this newly discovered reserve could power Earth’s EVs for 50 years. The Norwegian reserve is reportedly worth a whopping $12 trillion. Besides the important role in the EV industry and solar industry, it is also crucial for agriculture as a fertilizer.
Unfortunately, extracting phosphorus from these reserves results in extreme pollution. According to Norge Mining, they will be utilizing carbon capture and storage methods in an attempt to offset the impact on the environment.
Even though the renewable energy transition is vital, the proper management of mineral supply chains for renewable technologies is equally important as well. As per the Economics Observatory, future energy demands require innovation, proper recycling, international partnerships, and responsible and sustainable manufacturing practices. Speaking of international partnerships, Tesla and China has come to a remarkable $557 million agreement for a revolutionary energy project.
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