A systematic literature review of simulation models for flows, markets, and sustainability of critical energy transition minerals

Abstract

The accelerating global energy transition has heightened the demand for critical energy transition minerals which are essential for renewable energy technologies such as energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and equipment for wind and solar power. Simulation modeling has emerged as an important tool for exploring the complexities of critical minerals, assessing future availability, and informing sustainable resource management strategies. This study presents a systematic literature review of 91 simulation studies to provide a comprehensive structured overview and a practical reference to existing simulation approaches in this rapidly growing field while identifying remaining gaps in the literature. Studies are classified by simulation method, featured mineral type, geographic scope, temporal focus, and thematic focus. Our findings reveal that system dynamics and dynamic material flow analysis are the most commonly employed methods, with a growing trend toward hybrid modeling. While lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper are frequently studied, minerals like graphite remain underrepresented. Furthermore, social and ecological impacts are often underexplored. We highlight the need for interdisciplinary simulation approaches that integrate social, economic, and environmental dimensions to address interconnected challenges of energy transitions, socio-environmental sustainability, and resource management.