Davide Monteleone's Lens on Critical Minerals to expand to the Rare Earth Frontier

Highlights

• A photographic documentary series examining the global extraction and trade of minerals crucial for renewable energy technologies
• Covers multiple critical minerals including copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, with a planned chapter on rare earth elements
• Investigates the human, environmental, and geopolitical dimensions of mineral sourcing across different countries like Chile, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

In his ongoing series, Critical Minerals – Geography of Energy, Davide Monteleone uses photography, video, mapping, and collaboration to chart how minerals critical to the clean-energy transition are extracted, traded, experienced, and often exploited. The project examines the geopolitical, social, and environmental impacts arising from the growing demand for minerals needed for renewable energy. The project currently has four chapters, each focusing on a different critical mineral: copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Now, a fifth chapter on rare earth elements is planned.

So far, he has documented copper and lithium in Chile as well as nickel in Indonesia. The third leg of the 'Critical Minerals' project focuses on Copper and Cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo, both essential for the green energy transition. 

The chapters present a comprehensive view into the human, environmental, and geopolitical textures behind rare materials as well as their use. The pictures of the Italian-born photographer living in Switzerland are both gripping and informative. Certainly, worthwhile to visit the project's website: Critical Minerals (opens in a new tab)