The politics of resources redefined™
The politics of resources redefined™
The politics of resources redefined™
The politics of resources redefined™
The politics of resources redefined™
The politics of resources redefined™
The politics of resources redefined™

Critical Resource specialises in political, stakeholder and sustainability challenges in energy and mining. We have a reputation for bespoke, high-quality, high-impact work.

We believe that companies can unlock major commercial value by managing these challenges in a strategic and responsible way.

About us

Our belief is that a deep understanding and responsible, strategic management of these issues will be a key source of competitive advantage for companies in the years ahead.

We provide three types of services: due diligence and assurance that stakeholder, political and reputational risks are well understood and managed, prior to our clients making key investments or strategic decisions; practical support at the project level to help in-country teams achieve project outcomes; and finally, group-level strategies to align and position organisations as a whole to mitigate risks and realise opportunities.

Our network of advisors combines strong industry expertise with on-the-ground intelligence in over 80 countries. The senior advisory panel for the company includes eminent figures from industry, finance and global development. Our core team brings together experience working for major resource firms, The Economist, McKinsey, OECD, UN, and Chatham House, among other organisations.

Recent news and articles

Geopolitics in the age of the energy transition

Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge, on divisions between the West and China and what the energy transition means for geopolitical risk.

A nature-positive approach to shared value: 3 takeaways

As companies advance their approaches to nature-related issues, including through implementation of TNFDs, it will open up opportunities to rethink their approaches to impact management, benefits sharing and facilitating equitable access to natural capital, argues Caitlin Purdy.

Geopolitical pressures and the looming copper supply crunch

Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features Richard Adkerson, Chairman and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., on the geopolitics of the looming copper supply crunch, the environmental record of the mining industry, and what it takes to build good relationships with stakeholders.

Rules of engagement

The mining industry needs to invest more in government and community engagement in order to convince stakeholders that it’s not only safe but in their interest to develop new mines in their ‘backyards’, argues Henry Hall.

Should energy companies’ windfall profits be taxed?

Project Syndicate has recently asked Daniel Litvin, Yanis Varoufakis, John H. Cochrane and Isabella M. Weber whether the benefits of a one-off tax on the energy sector’s war-fueled windfall would outweigh the costs.

Geopolitics, conflict, and the responsibility of companies

Our latest Critical Conversation podcast features an exclusive discussion with Dr Comfort Ero, President & CEO of International Crisis Group, on  conflicts around the globe and the role resource companies can play in fostering the advancement of peace.

Ukraine and the dangerous twilight years of fossil-fuel geopolitics

The Ukraine crisis highlights how half-formed climate policies can reinforce the geopolitical power of fossil fuel-exporters such as Russia in the short term. Western economies now need to force these policies to their conclusion, argues Critical Resource Founder Daniel Litvin.

‘Ignoring climate change could put board directors in the firing line’

Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Karina Litvack (Chair, Climate Governance Initiative; NED, Eni) on the role of boards in managing ESG and climate change, arguing there is no longer an excuse not to act: these issues fall firmly within the fiduciary obligations of boards. 

Five tips for tackling resource nationalism

With resource nationalism on the rise around the world, Critical Resource Founder and Senior Partner Daniel Litvin discusses five lessons resource companies can take from previous episodes of resource nationalism in an extended version of an article published in the Financial Times.

‘Global systems of governance have begun to whither on the vine’

Our latest ‘Critical Conversation’ podcast features an exclusive discussion with Bill Emmott (former editor-in-chief of The Economist) on geopolitics and the continued fallout from the pandemic, arguing that companies need to develop their own ‘foreign policies’ in order to navigate the increasingly fractious and hostile geopolitical context.

Guinea: local events, global impacts

The recent military putsch in Guinea has added to political uncertainty, raising questions for the future of the country's mining sector. Our latest analysis explores the possible short- and long-term implications of the coup for companies.

Energy companies will have to tread fine lines in African engagement

The energy transition is narrowing the options available to African governments looking to recover from the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis. Our latest analysis examines how companies need to balance short-term delivery with support for countries on a longer-term transition pathway.

Offshore oil rig
How the oil and gas industry can grow old gracefully

In an extended version of an article published in the Financial Times, Critical Resource Founder and Managing Partner Daniel Litvin argues that the oil and gas sector should seize the initiative from its critics by planning more proactively for its twilight years.

Prepare for a 'supercycle' in anti-mining activism

In an extended version of an article published in the Financial Times, Critical Resource Founder & Managing Partner Daniel Litvin argues that the new waves of social opposition set to hit the mining industry may change it for the better.

The energy transition and ‘stranded countries’: implications for companies

As the energy transition accelerates and hydrocarbon revenues dwindle, oil and gas producing countries in the developing world will face significant challenges. Our latest analysis examines some of the associated socio-political implications and how international investors can demonstrate strategic partnership.

‘Another commodity supercycle is looming’

In an exclusive interview, Lukas Lundin (Lundin Group Chairman) argues that we are on the brink of another commodity supercycle, and emphasises the need for companies to do more to protect their social license to operate.

Who's afraid of the TCFD?

Many mining executives are concerned about what growing investor pressure to implement the TCFD recommendations might mean for their businesses. However, as we argue in our latest analysis, a rapid – but phased – approach toward TCFD-alignment can present significant opportunities.

Three megatrends impacting the natural resource sector in 2021

The world faces considerable social and economic fallout from Covid-19, a vaccine rush, rising global inequality and shifting geopolitical dynamics. In a volatile and fast-evolving context, our latest analysis looks at three megatrends that could shape the operating context for the natural resource sector in 2021.

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