At the recent Mines and Money forum, Voyager participated in a high-level government roundtable focused on overcoming geopolitical barriers in the critical minerals supply chain. One key takeaway? The West is falling behind in securing strategic resources—particularly in Africa and Central Asia—due to slow compliance processes, lengthy due diligence, and selective regional engagement.

The Reality of the Critical Minerals Race

Critical minerals like antimony are essential for defense, energy, and technology. Yet, despite growing demand, Western companies struggle to establish a presence in resource-rich regions. The reason is clear: while Chinese companies move swiftly to secure supply chains, Western firms face regulatory bottlenecks that delay projects for years. This cautious approach limits access to vital resources and weakens supply chain resilience.

The simple truth is that we cannot bring antimony—or any other critical mineral—to Western markets before it is mined. If projects cannot get off the ground due to excessive bureaucracy and risk aversion, Western economies will remain dependent on external suppliers, often from geopolitical competitors.

The Need for a Strategic Shift

To compete effectively, Western governments and businesses must adopt a more pragmatic strategy:
• Streamline Compliance – Due diligence is necessary, but excessive delays make projects unviable. Faster, risk-based approaches are needed.
• Expand Regional Engagement – Avoiding entire regions due to perceived instability only cedes ground to more agile competitors. Strategic partnerships and investment mechanisms should be prioritized.
• Support Critical Mineral Projects – Governments must provide financial backing and political support to de-risk private sector investments in critical mineral supply chains.

The West cannot afford to be left behind in the race for critical minerals. A more balanced approach—one that combines responsible business practices with strategic urgency—is essential to securing the resources needed for the future.

At Voyager, we remain committed to working with stakeholders across industries and governments to build a more secure, sustainable, and competitive supply chain for critical minerals. The time to act is now.