A leading minerals economist argues that Western nations must subsidize resource projects to break China’s near-monopoly on battery and metal refining. Dr. Rod Eggert of the Colorado School of Mines contends that standard market principles are ineffective against China’s concentrated economic power in these sectors. He specifically points to developing resource-rich nations like Papua New Guinea, which lack the infrastructure for processing their own minerals. Eggert suggests a shared financial responsibility from countries seeking access to these resources is crucial for establishing alternative supply chains. This approach, he argues, should be viewed as economic insurance against over-reliance on China. The economist’s assessment highlights the need for proactive intervention to ensure a more balanced global market for critical minerals.