Shimizu, K.; Owada, S. Mineral Resources Policy for a Circular Flow of Critical Minerals: An Input–Output Approach to the Case of Their Final Destination in Japan. Sustainability2024, 16, 726.
Shimizu, K.; Owada, S. Mineral Resources Policy for a Circular Flow of Critical Minerals: An Input–Output Approach to the Case of Their Final Destination in Japan. Sustainability 2024, 16, 726.
Shimizu, K.; Owada, S. Mineral Resources Policy for a Circular Flow of Critical Minerals: An Input–Output Approach to the Case of Their Final Destination in Japan. Sustainability2024, 16, 726.
Shimizu, K.; Owada, S. Mineral Resources Policy for a Circular Flow of Critical Minerals: An Input–Output Approach to the Case of Their Final Destination in Japan. Sustainability 2024, 16, 726.
Abstract
The circular economy is based on maintaining a circular flow of resources. Policymakers face difficulties in balancing national security and circular economy aspects in the field of mineral resources policy. With a uniquely expanded input-output table, this study estimates the final destination of several critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and dysprosium) and base metals (iron, copper and aluminum) in the Japanese economy for 2015. Our model shows quite a good similarity between the estimated composition and the actual data of products. The results reveal a detailed distribution of critical minerals and indicate prioritized implementation for creating and maintaining a circular flow of critical minerals. Developed decision flow guidance provides a comprehensive approach to national security and circular economy aspects for policymakers. For further actions, inclusive indicator development is required for policymakers to support the determination of implementation possibilities from social and technological aspects.
Keywords
mineral resource; policymaking; critical mineral; input-output analysis; circular economy
Subject
Social Sciences, Political Science
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
