Global demand for critical minerals is expected to grow, driven by the energy transition and the expansion of digital technologies. Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and copper are essential inputs in batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and other clean energy systems. In response, many resource-rich developing countries are seeking to capture greater benefits by adding value to these critical minerals by expanding domestic processing and manufacturing.
This draft report examines the fiscal and non-fiscal conditions that can support in-country value addition of critical minerals, drawing on the experiences of resource-rich countries. The publication considers the foundational conditions necessary for value addition and looks at policy challenges and tools that can encourage value addition.
This analysis is intended to support policy-makers in resource-rich developing countries in designing coherent and effective tax policies that promote domestic value addition while safeguarding long-term public revenues.
We invite interested parties to send their comments to this publication no later than September 3, 2025, by e-mail to tax@iisd.org in Word format (to facilitate their distribution to government officials). All comments should be addressed by the IGF's Global Mining Tax Initiative and made publicly available.
