The world is entering a new resource boom driven by the demand for critical minerals, clean energy, and digital assets. Investors and governments alike are seeking resources that power the technologies of the future. Commodities such as gold, lithium, rare earth elements, and antimony are no longer niche interests—they are central to national security, economic growth, and technological innovation.
Furthermore, the transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles is accelerating. Wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage systems all require metals and minerals that have historically been concentrated in a few global regions. Consequently, countries like the United States are emphasizing domestic production to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Policies, incentives, and partnerships are aligning to support this shift.
Additionally, digital assets are adding a new layer to the resource boom. Cryptocurrencies require energy-intensive mining and advanced computing infrastructure. This drives demand for energy, rare minerals, and semiconductor-grade materials. As a result, companies that provide access to these markets or materials are becoming increasingly strategic.
Meanwhile, traditional safe-haven resources like gold remain critical. Economic uncertainty, inflation, and geopolitical risks continue to boost investor demand. Junior exploration companies, meanwhile, are stepping into the spotlight by combining conventional metals with emerging strategic resources, such as antimony and lithium.
Subsequently, the next resource boom is not a single-sector story. It spans gold, lithium, rare earths, antimony, and the energy and digital infrastructure needed to support them. Companies positioned across these sectors stand to benefit, while investors and policymakers closely monitor supply, technology, and geopolitical trends. This boom promises to reshape industries and redefine global resource strategies for years to come.
Crypto – Coinbase Global
Coinbase’s setup in New York City.
Coinbase Global (NASDAQ: COIN) plays a unique role in the next resource boom because it provides the infrastructure for digital assets. Unlike traditional mining firms, the company does not extract physical commodities. Instead, it acts as the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, offering millions of users access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other tokens. This access has made Coinbase a proxy for the entire digital asset market.
Investors often view Bitcoin as “digital gold.” The comparison works because both assets serve as alternative stores of value. When uncertainty grows in the economy, more investors turn to safe-haven options. Coinbase benefits directly from this movement. Higher trading volumes create more fee revenue, which supports the company’s business model. In addition, increased adoption of cryptocurrencies lifts Coinbase’s visibility in financial markets.
Furthermore, digital assets have begun to link with energy and technology resources. Mining Bitcoin requires large amounts of energy, while blockchain networks depend on computing power and hardware. Consequently, growth in the crypto market creates demand for renewable power, chips, and even rare earth elements. Coinbase stands at the center of this trend by serving as the main access point for retail and institutional investors.
However, Coinbase still faces risks. Regulators continue to debate the status of many digital tokens. Fees remain vulnerable to competition from lower-cost rivals. Despite these challenges, the company has maintained a strong position, partly because of its trusted brand and U.S. regulatory presence.
Subsequently, Coinbase can be seen as part of the wider resource story. It does not mine gold or lithium, but it represents the digital layer of the resource economy. As capital flows into commodities and new asset classes, Coinbase’s platform helps bridge traditional finance with the fast-growing digital resource frontier.
Alternative Energy – NextEra Energy
Solar panel installation by Next Era. Image via Next Era.
NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) plays a central role in the next resource boom because it leads renewable energy production in the United States.
The company generates electricity from wind and solar farms, as well as from battery storage projects. Its infrastructure positions it to benefit as governments increase investment in clean energy.
Under the Trump administration, alternative energy projects faced slowdowns and reduced incentives. Policymakers emphasized traditional fossil fuels, limiting growth opportunities.
However, NextEra continued to expand cautiously, maintaining its wind and solar portfolio. This strategic patience kept the company ready for more favorable conditions.
Furthermore, many states pursued their own renewable initiatives, which allowed NextEra to continue growing despite federal hesitancy.
Consequently, the company strengthened its regulatory relationships at the state level and built additional capacity. In addition, technological advances in solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage improved efficiency, lowering costs and increasing competitiveness.
Once environmentally friendly policies return at the federal level, NextEra stands to accelerate growth. Government incentives, tax credits, and infrastructure spending can expand project pipelines rapidly. Additionally, corporate and institutional demand for clean energy is rising, creating multiple revenue streams.
Meanwhile, NextEra’s scale allows it to negotiate favourable contracts for land, equipment, and financing.
Furthermore, the company indirectly affects other resource sectors. Renewable energy development increases demand for materials like lithium, rare earth elements, and copper for batteries and transmission equipment.
In addition, energy storage projects drive technological investment and construction activity, stimulating economic growth.
Read more: NevGold delivers major growth at Idaho gold project
Read more: Antimony recovery results from NevGold’s Limo Butte project exceed expectations
Gold – Barrick Gold
Barrick Mining Corp (TSE: ABX) (NYSE: B) (ETR: ABR0) plays a vital role in the next resource boom because it provides physical gold, one of the world’s most reliable stores of value. The company operates mines across the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, producing millions of ounces annually. Its global footprint gives it resilience against regional disruptions and positions it to meet growing investor demand.
Gold often gains attention during periods of economic uncertainty. Investors turn to the metal as a hedge against inflation, currency volatility, and market instability. Consequently, Barrick benefits directly when global uncertainty rises. In addition, gold remains critical to central banks, which continue to hold and occasionally increase reserves. This institutional demand complements retail and investment flows, supporting sustained consumption of Barrick’s output.
Interim CEO Mark Hill. Image via Barrick.
Furthermore, Barrick’s operations generate downstream economic activity. Mining requires energy, labor, equipment, and logistics services. These industries expand alongside Barrick’s production, amplifying the company’s impact on broader resource markets. In addition, Barrick’s focus on sustainability and responsible mining attracts investors increasingly attentive to environmental, social, and governance standards.
However, gold mining carries risks. Prices fluctuate with market sentiment, and operational challenges, such as permitting, labour disputes, and geopolitical tensions, can affect output.
Recently, Barrick Gold has faced significant challenges. The government of Mali seized its Loulo-Gounkoto mine, citing unpaid taxes and revised mining codes. The dispute led to a USD$1 billion write-off and operational suspension.
Amid this, CEO Mark Bristow resigned, and veteran executive Mark Hill became interim CEO. Despite setbacks, Barrick’s global asset base and strong financial position—including USD$6.7 billion returned to shareholders and USD$4 billion in debt reduction—position the company to recover. Renewed leadership aims to restore focus and capitalize on gold market opportunities.
Critical minerals – MP Materials
Technically, the focus is on MP Materials (NYSE: MP) here. It’s proven itself to be central to the United States’ strategy to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled critical minerals. As a result the Department of Defense recently acquired a stake in the company, marking a significant shift toward U.S. resource independence.
But this is really so much larger than just one company.
In truth, this is just the beginning. For example, Perpetua Resources Corp (TSE: PPTA) (NASDAQ: PPTA) is also advancing the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho, which could become the nation’s only mined source of antimony. The project has received federal support and FAST-41 status, expediting permitting processes. Perpetua is also exploring partnerships to establish U.S.-based antimony refining capabilities. Furthermore, antimony’s role in defense and renewable technologies strengthens the strategic importance of the project.
There’s also other companies getting in line for government recognition.
In Nevada, NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50) is exploring gold-antimony deposits at its Limousine Butte project. Recent drilling has revealed promising grades of both gold and antimony, positioning NevGold as a potential contributor to the U.S. antimony supply chain. Additionally, the integration of antimony into gold exploration reflects the mineral’s growing strategic value.
These developments underscore a concerted effort by the U.S. government and private sector to expand domestic production of critical minerals. Companies like MP Materials, Perpetua Resources, and NevGold lead this initiative, which is crucial for national security, technological independence, and economic resilience. Subsequently, these companies play a central role in shaping the next resource boom while strengthening the United States’ position in the global critical minerals market.
Read more: NevGold’s long intervals of antimony & gold mineralization turn heads
Read more: NevGold pulls critical mineral antimony from Limo Butte property in Nevada
Lithium – Albemarle Corporation
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) stands at the forefront of the lithium industry, playing a pivotal role in the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage. With operations spanning Chile, Australia, China, and the United States, Albemarle is one of the world’s largest producers of lithium compounds.
The company’s diversified portfolio includes extraction from the Salar de Atacama in Chile and the Greenbushes mine in Australia, both of which are integral to its lithium supply chain.
In the United States, Albemarle operates the Silver Peak facility in Nevada, the country’s only active lithium production site.
This facility has become increasingly strategic as North American supply chains gain prominence. Despite global market challenges, Albemarle continues to invest in its U.S. operations, aiming to bolster domestic lithium production and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
However, the company faces challenges in expanding its lithium processing capacity. Plans to build a USD$1.3 billion lithium refinery in South Carolina have been paused due to a global surplus of lithium, which has led to declining market prices.
This decision underscores the complexities of balancing supply and demand in the lithium market.
Looking ahead, Albemarle projects that global lithium demand will more than double by 2030, driven by the increasing adoption of EVs and renewable energy storage solutions.
To meet this demand, the company is focusing on optimizing existing operations and exploring strategic partnerships. Albemarle’s commitment to sustainability and innovation positions it to play a necessary role in the evolving energy landscape.
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