Polytechnique insights A REVIEW BY INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE PARIS
Polytechnique insights A REVIEW BY INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE PARIS
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Newsletter
0_ressources-naturelles-et-géopolitique
Home / Dossiers / Geopolitics / Natural resources at the heart of geopolitical tensions
π Geopolitics π Industry

Natural resources at the heart of geopolitical tensions

4 episodes
  • 1
    What mineral resources lie beneath the French soil?
  • 2
    Seabed mining: a new geopolitical divide?
  • 3
    Saudi Arabia, a future mining power?
  • 4
    Russia's strategy to control Arctic resources
1_solFrancais
Épisode 1/4

What mineral resources lie beneath the French soil?
On February 14th, 2024
5 min reading time
Avatar
Pierre-Alexandre Reninger
Geophysicist at the French Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM)
Mathieu Chevaillard
Matthieu Chevillard
Geologist at the French National Geological Survey (BRGM)

Key takeaways

  • BRGM is to carry out an inventory of mineral resource potential, in order to characterise the resources naturally present in France.
  • With this inventory, the scientists will be compiling a set of uniform data that is unprecedented, since the last inventory did not cover 30% of the areas with mining potential, and many metals that are now considered critical were not analysed.
  • The technique used, airborne geophysics, is unprecedented for this purpose and on this scale in France.
  • By combining three methods (magnetism, gamma spectrometry and electromagnetism), it will be possible to obtain accurate data quickly.
  • In a second phase, targeted areas of interest will be analysed in greater detail using geochemical and geophysical techniques on the ground. Other innovative techniques such as hydrogeochemistry, biogeochemistry and geophysical acquisition by drone will also be tested.
2_fondMarin
Épisode 2/4

Seabed mining: a new geopolitical divide?
On July 3rd, 2024
8 min reading time
Emmanuel Hache
Emmanuel Hache
Assistant and Economist-Prospector at IFP Énergies nouvelles and Research Director at IRIS
Emilie Normand
Émilie Normand
Economist Engineer, Head of Research at IFP Énergies nouvelles
Candice Roche
Candice Roche
Research Fellow in Geopolitics of Metals and Ecological Transition at IFPEN

Key takeaways

  • As metals are at the core of national concerns, new mineral deposits in the deep sea tend to catch the attention of a growing number of actors.
  • Coastal states have rights over resources located in their exclusive economic zones; beyond that, the sea is a common zone where the status of mining remains to be defined.
  • Yet it is a zone rich in resources, particularly sulphide clusters, cobalt-rich crusts and polymetallic nodules.
  • The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is negotiating a regulatory framework for the exploitation of deep-sea resources.
  • These negotiations are giving rise to a new geopolitical sphere where traditional states alliances are questioned, and companies play an increasingly influential role.
3_asPuissanceMiniere
Épisode 3/4

Saudi Arabia, a future mining power?
On April 16th, 2024
7 min reading time
Emmanuel Hache
Emmanuel Hache
Assistant and Economist-Prospector at IFP Énergies nouvelles and Research Director at IRIS
Candice Roche
Candice Roche
Research Fellow in Geopolitics of Metals and Ecological Transition at IFPEN
Vincent d’Herbemont
Vincent d’Herbemont
Civil engineer in the economics and environmental assessment department at IFP énergies nouvelles
Louis-Marie MALBEC
Louis-Marie Malbec
Economist engineer at IFP énergies nouvelles

Key takeaways

  • Through its “Vision 2030” project, Saudi Arabia has clearly stated its ambitions to diversify its economy and become a leader in low-carbon technologies.
  • Keeping up with the shift towards decarbonisation imposed by the climate crisis is forcing the kingdom (which derives 60% of its revenue from oil) to target markets other than hydrocarbons.
  • To achieve this, the country wants to exploit the significant mineral potential of its subsoil and develop an efficient industrial base in the mining and metallurgy sectors.
  • The latest assessment highlighted the abundance of gold, copper, zinc, nickel, rare earths, lithium and manganese found in Saudi soil.
  • Saudi Arabia is displaying a new strategy on the diplomatic stage: multi-alignment.
  • The country’s polymorphous strategy puts it in competition with the United Arab Emirates for ‘leadership’ of the region.
AdobeStock_943137577
Épisode 4/4

Russia's strategy to control Arctic resources
On October 1st, 2025
4 min reading time
Florian Vidal_VF
Florian Vidal
Researcher at the Arctic University of Norway and associate researcher at the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Future Energy at Paris Cité University

Key takeaways

  • The Arctic has significant strategic potential for Russia, particularly in terms of hydrocarbons, with 80% of the gas produced on Russian territory coming from this region.
  • However, given the current geopolitical conditions, Russian companies are finding it difficult to export and access Western technologies.
  • While the militarisation of the Arctic is nothing new, since 2005 there has been an undeniable strengthening of Russia’s military presence in the region.
  • A significant portion of the Russian army contingents present in the Arctic have been mobilised for the war effort in Ukraine.
  • There are arguments for and against the idea that the Arctic could be the next front between Russia and the United States.

Our top braincamps

1_Le MO
π Geopolitics

The Middle East: geopolitical and strategic analysis

3 episodes
0_satellitesTerre
π Space π Planet π Geopolitics

Climate, war, pollution: how satellites are documenting our greatest challenges

5 episodes
0_ressourcesEau
π Planet π Geopolitics π Energy

Water at the heart of global geopolitical issues

6 episodes