How the critical minerals value chain is reshaping opportunities for pump and compressor OEMs

The shift to electrification is increasing demand for equipment that performs reliably in harsh, high-duty environments. Critical minerals sit at the centre of this shift, and every part of their value chain—extraction, processing and battery manufacturing—relies on pumps, compressors and mixers that operate cleanly, efficiently and safely.

Understanding the critical minerals value chain

The critical minerals value chain encompasses the journey of essential raw materials from extraction and refining through component manufacturing to end-use applications. These minerals underpin technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems and grid-scale energy storage.

For pump and compressor OEMs, this value chain is significant because:

• Demand for mining, processing and chemical handling equipment is growing as electrification accelerates
• Operators face tighter expectations on water, energy efficiency and emissions performance
• Reliability and lifecycle cost are under scrutiny as ore grades decline, and operating conditions become more demanding

The market outlook reflects this shift. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts show significant growth in demand for lithium, copper, nickel and other critical minerals through 2040, primarily driven by the expansion of electric mobility and renewable energy infrastructure. Regions across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australia all play significant roles, giving the value chain a global footprint.

What minerals matter and where are they mined?

Critical minerals include lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite. Each has defined geological footprints and operational challenges:

• Lithium: Largely extracted from brines in South America’s “Lithium Triangle” or from hard-rock deposits in Australia. Water usage and local permitting constraints are key issues.
• Copper: Found worldwide, including major deposits in Chile, Peru and the U.S. Increasingly deeper mines and declining ore grades increase operational and environmental pressures.
• Nickel and cobalt: Concentrated in Indonesia, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Australia. Ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency are growing regulatory priorities.
• Manganese: Mined extensively in South Africa, Australia and Gabon.
• Graphite: Extracted and processed in China, Mozambique, Madagascar and Canada, with new developments emerging to meet battery anode demand.

Alongside geological variation, there is a growing focus on regulatory and stakeholder concerns about the production of these minerals. Across major mining jurisdictions, policymakers and local communities are paying more attention to:

• Water abstraction and discharge
• Tailings storage and dam safety
• Land use and biodiversity impacts
• Worker safety and community engagement
• Supply chain traceability and responsible sourcing

For energy-sector OEMs, this means their customers are under pressure to operate more responsibly and transparently. Equipment that can help reduce water consumption, lower leakage, limit fugitive emissions and improve overall process efficiency supports regulatory compliance and the expectations of local communities and stakeholders.

Extraction and processing: reducing water use and improving sustainability

The mineral extraction process typically includes crushing, grinding, dense media separation, filtration, leaching, thickening, dewatering and tailings management. Each stage involves pumps, mixers and rotating equipment that operate continuously in abrasive, slurry-laden environments.

Sustainability, particularly water use, is a major concern. Many critical mineral deposits sit in arid or water-stressed regions where freshwater is scarce and tightly regulated. Conventional seal flush arrangements and packing-based solutions can consume considerable volumes of water. Advanced mechanical seals can help reduce this burden.

Upstream Pumping (USP) mechanical seals are a strong example. By using process fluid as the seal coolant rather than relying on large volumes of external clean water, USP technology can:

• Cut flush-water consumption by more than 90% in suitable applications
• Reduce wastewater treatment and discharge volumes
• Maintain or improve seal reliability in abrasive services
• Support compliance with site-wide water reduction targets

To support overall water management efficiency, seal water control and monitoring systems, such as John Crane Safeunit™, help operators regulate and monitor water supply to multiple seals, reducing waste and improving consistency.

Mechanical seals and couplings are critical components in refining and processing

Once extracted, minerals undergo refining and concentration, during which pumps and mixers operate under constant abrasion, chemical exposure and variable pressure. Mechanical seals are essential to safe, clean and continuous operation. Couplings ensure that power and rotation from the driver are smoothly and controlled transmitted to the pumps and mixers.

OEMs across the mining and processing sector integrate mechanical seals and seal support systems into their equipment designs to ensure stable performance under demanding conditions, such as:

• Fine particulate abrasions
• Variable pressure cycling
• Chemical compatibility with leach solutions
• Temperature fluctuations
• Continuous or 24/7 duty cycles

Reliability and sustainability remain central. A longer seal life reduces downtime, maintenance interventions and fugitive emissions, supporting productivity and environmental goals.

In these environments, slurry mechanical seals such as the Type 5860 deliver dependable performance in fine-particle slurries and chemically aggressive leach solutions under continuous duty.

From refined minerals to batteries and electrification technologies

Once refined, these critical minerals flow into the battery minerals supply chain and support electrification technologies, including battery storage, renewable energy infrastructure and grid modernisation. Across modern energy storage and electrification systems:

• Lithium combines with other metals to form cathode materials
• Nickel, manganese and cobalt help optimise energy density and stability
• Graphite forms the anode material in most current chemistries
• Copper provides current collectors and electrical connections

Production steps include the synthesis of cathode and anode materials, electrolyte production, separator manufacturing and cell fabrication. Throughout these stages, pumps and agitators handle solvents, slurries and process chemicals across mixing, coating, drying and electrolyte filling processes.

Vessel and agitator mechanical seals, such as the Type 32D, can help maintain product integrity during these processes by limiting solvent losses and preventing contamination.

Filtration solutions, such as polymer melt filtration, are critical for achieving the exceptional material purity required for battery separators to ensure the battery operates reliably and safely throughout its lifetime.

These materials are then used to manufacture cells, modules and packs for grid-connected storage, renewable integration projects and consumer electronics.

Why batteries are essential to the energy transition

Battery storage is fundamental to the global energy transition. Electrification requires reliable storage to balance supply and demand—particularly as renewable energy sources such as solar and wind become more prominent.

Grid-scale battery systems support:

• Peak-shaving and load balancing
• Frequency and voltage regulation
• Renewable energy integration
• Backup power for critical infrastructure

Without reliable, cost-effective batteries, integrating large volumes of solar and wind into power systems becomes significantly more difficult. Their performance, cost and availability are tied to the critical minerals and the industrial processing needed to produce them.

For OEMs, this creates a direct link between energy storage deployment and upstream demand for mining, processing and the reliable pumps, compressors and sealing solutions that support these operations. A second blog will explore grid-scale storage in more detail, highlighting how these systems shape OEM equipment requirements.

Scaling electrification infrastructure

Across energy storage, renewable integration and critical minerals processing, large-scale industrial facilities depend on extensive pump and fluid-handling systems for cooling, chemical preparation and wastewater treatment.

For OEMs, early design choices strongly influence overall plant performance. Selecting the right sealing technology helps improve uptime, reduce leakage risks and support consistent manufacturing quality throughout the battery production process.

Supporting OEMs in new energy applications

As the world accelerates electrification, every stage of the critical minerals value chain relies on dependable, efficient equipment. For OEMs, this creates new opportunities to improve performance and reduce environmental impact, and John Crane will remain a key partner in supporting that progress.