Gallium is a critical metal to develop green technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels. Yet, one country supplies over 90% of this critical resource – China. So, when China began to restrict exports of gallium, it sparks a global scramble to find alternative sources.

Gallium is usually extracted from bauxite. This leads our host Kartik Kuna to travel to China’s southern neighbour, Vietnam. Vietnam holds one of world’s largest reserves of bauxite. Yet Kartik realises that having bauxite in the ground, doesn’t automatically translate into gallium riches. Wrapped up in this global pursuit for gallium are complications that could even impact your cup of coffee!

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00:00 Introduction
01:49 Gallium, a critical metal for electronics
06:44 Extracting aluminum and gallium from bauxite ore
10:14 Vietnam's requirements to restore land after mining
15:01 Impact of mining on surrounding communities
21:34 Opportunities for workers moving to Nhan Co
28:08 Is the cost of extracting gallium worth the benefit?
36:42 Competing land uses in densely-populated Vietnam
39:59 Industrial bauxite mining hurting coffee farmers

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About the show: There is tension between China and the West – over critical metals. These metals are essential for high tech applications, as well as a carbon-free future. Just why is the fight heating up?
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#CNAInsider #PowerScrambleCNA #China #Vietnam #Mining #Gallium

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