nexustandards.com/industry-trade · 3 taught
Industry, Trade and Supply Chains
NRS-M10 Markets, trade and supply chains; NRS-P10 Third-party, outsourcing and concentration risk
3standards1discipline
Illustrative: atoms and bonds of a lattice with a phonon travelling through it and one dopant site
Risk Academy, led by the Nexus Consortium · Infrastructure, Energy and Industry · Department of Energy and Resources
Taught in the Nexus stream
Critical minerals, mining and extractives
The discipline covers mining and extractive industries, critical minerals for the energy and digital transitions, tailings and structural safety, commodity price risk, and the social and environmental risks of extraction and closure.
- Critical minerals supply
- Mining operations and safety
- Tailings storage facilities
- Commodity price risk
- Resource revenues
- Community and human rights risk
- Mine closure and legacy
- Responsible sourcing
Courses in development extend the scope to one further subject: Critical minerals supply risk.
02Maps
Maps and the globe for any place
Search any place or open the world; the layers and generators follow critical minerals, mining and extractives on the planet map, the globe and in 3D.
The boundaries, names and designations shown do not imply any judgement on the legal status of any territory, or any endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Countries: Natural Earth (public domain).
03Live map
Activity and hazards in the Black Sea region
Night-time lights and population, the geography of production and markets, with floods and sea state, over the Black Sea region.
The interactive map needs JavaScript; the layer list and sources are below.
Layers 2
Activity and hazards
Keyboard, with the map focused
Hold Ctrl or ⌘ and scroll to zoom
Latest available
NASA GIBS / EOSDIS · ASTER GDEM (METI, NASA) · Blue Marble (NASA) · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Natural Earth
Loading the latest NASA imagery.
Drag to move. Ctrl or ⌘ and scroll, pinch or the buttons to zoom; hover for the values under the pointer; reset returns to the region.
Activity and hazards, framed on the Black Sea region.Satellite and model products as NASA publishes them, each with its own date. They are indicators, not assessments of any place.
Data: NASA GIBS · ASTER GDEM · Blue Marble · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Natural Earth · NASA EONETSources and licences
- We acknowledge the use of imagery provided by services from NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). NASA open data
- We acknowledge the use of imagery provided by services from NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS). Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). NASA open data
- VIIRS Black Marble night-time lights, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; distributed by the NASA Level-1 and Atmosphere Archive and Distribution System (LAADS DAAC); imagery via NASA GIBS. Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). NASA open data
- Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University. 2018. Gridded Population of the World, Version 4 (GPWv4): Population Density, Revision 11. NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). doi:10.7927/H49C6VHW. CC BY 4.0
- VIIRS near-real-time products (flood, land surface temperature, snow cover, corrected reflectance), NASA LANCE; imagery via NASA GIBS. Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). NASA open data
- GHRSST Level 4 MUR analyses, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; distributed by the NASA Physical Oceanography DAAC (PO.DAAC); imagery via NASA GIBS. Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). NASA open data
- ASTER GDEM is a product of METI and NASA (ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model V003, NASA LP DAAC); imagery via NASA GIBS. Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). Cite as: NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Spacesystems and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team (2019). ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model V003. doi:10.5067/ASTER/ASTGTM.003. NASA open data
- Made with Natural Earth. Free vector and raster map data @ naturalearthdata.com. Public domain
- © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via NASA GIBS (coastlines, boundaries, roads and place names). Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). ODbL
- Blue Marble, NASA Earth Observatory; imagery via NASA GIBS. Colours redrawn from the published colour map; values averaged into H3 cells where shown (modified). NASA open data
- Context on the globe and flat map: coastlines, boundaries, roads and place names from NASA GIBS reference layers (OpenStreetMap data, ODbL, © OpenStreetMap contributors); Blue Marble imagery as an optional base; 3D terrain and the elevation read-out from the ASTER GDEM elevation colour index (5 m to 200 m classes, exaggerated for legibility). Boundaries are drawn as published and imply no position on any territory.
- Globe: MapLibre GL JS 6.9.1, BSD-3-Clause, © MapLibre contributors.
- Live events: NASA Earth Observatory Natural Event Tracker (EONET); events are indicative and keep their original source links.
- NASA GIBS: We acknowledge the use of imagery provided by services from NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).
- Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/), licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Optional layers (5 sources in the layer list: live, forecast, observed and context) print their provider credit on the map and here when switched on; forecasts are model output and derived indices are estimates.
Layers and dates
- Night-time lights, daily: VIIRS Black Marble (VNP46A2), NASA LAADS DAAC · 12 Oct 2026
- Population density, 2020: Population: CIESIN, Columbia University, Gridded Population of the World v4.11 (2018), NASA SEDAC, CC BY 4.0 · static
- Flood water, 3-day composite: VIIRS Global Flood Product, NASA LANCE · 14 Oct 2026
- Sea surface temperature anomaly: GHRSST MUR25, NASA JPL PO.DAAC · 12 Oct 2026
- True colour: VIIRS NOAA-20 corrected reflectance, NASA LANCE · 13 Oct 2026
04The subject
The subject, methods and measures and debates and bodies
The field and its scope
For analysts, procurement and sourcing staff, mining engineers, regulators and investors who need to assess mineral supply concentration, tailings and operational safety, commodity price exposure and the social and closure liabilities of extraction.
Quantities and units
Methods and their limits
Each method is listed with what it assumes and where it fails.
What the field debates
Bodies that set practice, and the data they publish
Bodies and standards are named so learners can find and apply their published work; the Academy teaches their use and links to the publisher, and no affiliation is implied.
05The method
From a concentrated supply to a price spike: how a lost mine moves a market, and what a stockpile buys
The share of a mineral's supply held by its largest source sets the concentration index; the share of supply a disruption removes, divided by the short-run price elasticity, gives the price rise; a stockpile covers part of the gap for a time, and the size of that stockpile is the decision.
Sources: Graedel et al., Methodology of metal criticality determination (2012); Sovacool et al., Sustainable minerals and metals for a low-carbon future (2020); Owen et al., Catastrophic tailings dam failures and disaster risk disclosure (2020); Sachs and Warner, The curse of natural resources (2001).
06Instrument
Critical minerals, mining and extractives
- Open, 0
- In preparation, 2
- Also taught here, 1
- Subtopics, 8
Critical minerals, mining and extractivesRegister
- 03CoursesIn preparation
- 04LevelsL2 Intermediate
Risk Academy · Infrastructure, Energy and Industry
07Standards and evidence
Standards and evidence, research and evidence, profile, what is changing and learning
Nexus Standards it teaches and relies on
The Nexus Standards the discipline teaches toward, grouped by master standard, with the disciplines that teach each.
nexustandards.com/systemic-risk · 1 taught
Systemic Risks
NRS-H60 Supply-chain and flow disruption
1standard1discipline
Nexus Standards at the AcademyThe Academy proposes how each discipline teaches toward the Nexus Standards; the mapping is open for public review.
Research and tools
Research and preprints as they are published, by discipline, with the faculty's other tools.
The hub lists the newest research and preprints for Critical minerals, mining and extractives, each with its source and date. Open the research hub
Methods, frameworks and hazards
From the Academy's risk taxonomy: the discipline's own entries and those of its primary courses, with how many courses teach each.
Hazard families
- Dam and structural failure1 course
- Inflation and commodity price shock1 course
What is changing now
Recent developments in critical minerals, mining and extractives, each with its source; sources checked on 16 October 2026.
Courses in this discipline
Courses for this discipline are in development; until they open, study it through the connected courses and open lessons below.
Courses with this primary disciplineIn preparation
- RAN-312Mining and Extractives RiskIn preparationNexus, L2 Intermediate, 10 hours (estimate)
Courses from connected disciplines that also teach this field
Each course has its primary discipline elsewhere and teaches this field as part of its scope.
From connected disciplinesIn preparation
- RAT-219Process Safety: HAZOP, Bow-tie and LOPAIn preparationTechnical, L2 Intermediate, 10 hours (estimate), primary discipline: Technological, industrial and Natech hazards
How the subject is practised in labs
| Lab | What you do in it | Courses using it |
|---|---|---|
| Map lab | Read hazard, exposure and boundaries on real maps | 1 |
| Exposure lab | Overlay people and assets with hazard footprints | 1 |
08Console
How Critical minerals, mining and extractives is taught, as a process you can run
Press Play to run this process from this page's own data.
09Practice
Practice, learning and connections
How technology helps and what risk it brings
| Aspect | In this area |
|---|---|
| Technology that helps | Traceability and distributed ledgers. |
| Risk technology creates | Exposure to chip and export controls, and concentration in critical minerals. |
- RAS-430 Dual-use Technology, Export Controls and Compute Governance In development
- RAS-416 Critical Minerals and Transition Supply Risk In development
- RAN-371 Distributed Ledgers and Tokenisation in Finance and Supply Chains In development
Achievements in this discipline
Pathways that teach it
Where the subject is practised
- The Global Centre for Risk and Innovation (GCRI Canada)Trade and Strategic ResourcesCritical minerals, Responsible sourcing
- The Global Risks Alliance (GRA)Sovereign Capital NexusResource revenues
Field platforms of the ecosystem where the subject is studied and applied.
The two Foundry systems where it is practised
- FoundryNXS-GRX systemConcentration and substitutability of supplyCascades room
- NXS-EOP systemMining footprints can be seen from orbitChange room
Foundry system pages describe what each system and its rooms are designed to do; the courses teach the methods these systems apply.
Across the ecosystem
10Take part
Take part in Infrastructure, Energy and Industry
Start from who you are.
11References
Core references and where to begin
Start with Graedel, then Sovacool, then Rico.
12Questions
Questions, answers and key terms
Is study here free?
Yes. Every course and learning material of Risk Academy, led by the Nexus Consortium, is free to study, self-paced or with a cohort. Ordinary participation has no fee; paid work, internships and fellowships are separate arrangements.
What does completing a course give me?
A completion record: the course, its version, the date and what was assessed, private by default and shared by you. It stacks into discipline, department and programme achievements. A record states what was studied and assessed and does not certify competence; it is not a licence, a professional title or an employment status.
Where do the data and the places come from?
Every faculty teaches on a twin of a real place built from open data; each layer carries its provider, licence and date, and every result on the Academy states its source. Maps and figures are indicators for teaching, never an assessment of a place.
How do I take part beyond the courses in critical minerals, mining and extractives?
Form a competence cell of three to seven people, study a shared pathway, take a supervised assignment in the National Working Groups, or bring a cohort from your institution. For organisations.
Key terms
Term
Critical mineral
A mineral of high economic importance whose supply is at risk.
Term
Tailings storage facility
A structure that stores the fine waste left after ore processing.
Term
Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management
An international standard for the safe management of tailings facilities.
Term
Resource curse
The pattern in which resource wealth is linked to weaker growth or governance.
ReportsContribute
Contribute evidence from this page.
Reports is the Consortium's quarterly publication. What you know about this subject can become evidence, a case or a correction in the next edition, credited to you and published under CC BY 4.0 where it is your own work.
Risk Academy
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Around Critical minerals, mining and extractives
Critical minerals, mining and extractives
Prepare with a related course
Open courses in connected disciplines teach the methods this discipline will build on.