Economic sustainability in the critical materials-supply chains-renewable energy nexus for a low carbon future

Abstract

The global transition toward renewable energy has triggered an unprecedented demand for critical minerals, yet conventional mining models often struggle to balance long-term profitability with environmental and social safeguards. This paper provides a unique conceptual integration by embedding risk-management hierarchies directly into financial cost frameworks, thereby bridging the gap between firm-level operational viability and system-level supply chain resilience. By synthesizing the All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC) metric with a structured Hierarchy of Control (HOC), we propose an integrated framework for economic sustainability. We apply this framework to the 'by-product paradox’ using tellurium in solar PV as a case study, to facilitate actionable strategies such as biomining and renewable energy integration. Ultimately, this framework provides a pathway for developing the agile and sustainable supply chains necessary to meet global decarbonization targets. Failure to address these challenges could disconnect mining from climate goals, hindering the clean energy transition.