A knowledge graph approach to global nickel mining operations: Patterns and geopolitical insights

Abstract

The global energy transition has intensified demand for critical metals like nickel, placing new emphasis on the need for responsible governance and resilient global mineral supply systems. However, current production patterns and ownership structures pose geopolitical challenges to inclusive and transparent resource governance. This study introduces a knowledge graph-based analytical framework to reassess global nickel mining operations, focusing on three interconnected dimensions: (1) resource endowment, (2) investment influence, and (3) trade centrality. By integrating multi-source, heterogeneous datasets, the framework quantifies and visualizes the geopolitical landscape of global nickel operations. Key insights include: (1) the “nickel triangle”—Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Australia—as a critical hub, underscoring supply concentration and geopolitical risks; (2) developed nations like Switzerland (investment score: 0.69), the UK (0.58), and Canada (0.56) as influential players through overseas investments, reflecting capital-driven resource control strategies; and (3) Indonesia (influence score: 1.0), Brazil (0.95), and Australia (0.79) as dominant actors shaping global primary nickel supply chains. These findings highlight the potential of knowledge graph-based frameworks to dynamically monitor and analyze the geopolitical roles and concerns of nations in mineral resource management. This tool provides policymakers with insights, enabling them to develop strategies that address geopolitical complexities and promote responsible resource governance.