Fluorspar is a critical mineral that most people have never heard of, yet it is absolutely essential to modern life and technology. Despite its low profile outside of industry circles, fluorspar plays a foundational role in a wide range of sectors. It is the backbone of electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors, air conditioning, refrigeration, and green manufacturing processes, as well as being a vital ingredient in the production of hundreds of chemicals. The sheer diversity of its applications highlights just how indispensable this mineral has become in our daily lives. For instance, electric vehicle batteries rely heavily on fluorspar, using up to ten times more of it per vehicle than lithium, a mineral that is much more widely recognized by the public. This fact alone underscores the hidden importance of fluorspar in the transition to cleaner transportation and advanced technology.

Despite its critical role, both Canada and the United States are entirely dependent on imports to meet their fluorspar needs, leaving these countries vulnerable to supply disruptions. As global industries continue to expand, the demand for fluorspar is expected to surge dramatically. Projections indicate that worldwide demand will increase from 9.4 million tons in 2024 to an astonishing 18.7 million tons by 2030. This rapid growth is being driven by the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles, the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing, and the push for greener, more sustainable industrial processes. Experts warn that starting in 2026, demand for fluorspar will begin to outstrip available supply, with the resulting deficit expected to widen significantly by 2033. This looming shortfall could have far-reaching consequences for industries that depend on a steady and reliable supply of this little-known but vital mineral. The numerous uses and rapidly growing importance of fluorspar underscore its status as a truly critical resource in the modern world.

Sources

Straits Research. (2024). Fluorspar Market Size, Share & Trends by 2033. Retrieved from https://straitsresearch.com/report/fluorspar-market

Carbon Credits. (2024, December 24). Lithium is driving the EV boom: Demand to quadruple by 2030. CarbonCredits.com. Retreived from https://carboncredits.com/lithium-is-driving-the-ev-boom-demand-to-quadruple-by-2030/

Metal Tech News. (2024, February 19). Fluorspar: the forgotten battery mineral. MetalTechNews.com. Retreived from https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2024/02/21/tech-metals/fluorspar-the-forgotten-battery-mineral/1638.html

Visual Capitalist. (2023, August 4). Charted: America’s import reliance of critical minerals. Elements by Visual Capitalist. Retreived from https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/americas-import-reliance-of-critical-minerals-charted/

Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, as cited in: Tivan Ltd (ASX: TVN). (2025, February 3). Unique, Highly Critical and Valuable Fluorite Project (p. 10). Retrieved from https://www.eveq.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TVN_EVO_20250203.pdf

Fluorspar - Hidden Mineral Powering the Green Revolution

Fluorspar is the critical mineral you’ve never heard of but can’t live without. It serves as the backbone of electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors, air conditioning, refrigeration, green manufacturing, and hundreds of chemical products-yet almost no one outside the industry knows its name. Despite its low profile, fluorspar is absolutely essential to modern life and the technologies driving the green revolution. For example, EV batteries use up to ten times more fluorspar than lithium per vehicle, highlighting its pivotal role in the shift to sustainable transportation and energy solutions. The mineral’s numerous applications span industries, from advanced electronics to climate-friendly manufacturing, making it a cornerstone of both current and future innovation (see Appendix page 21 for a comprehensive list of uses).

Currently, both Canada and the USA are 100% dependent on imports to fulfill their fluorspar needs, which raises significant concerns about supply chain security and national resilience. As global demand for fluorspar accelerates, it is projected to rise sharply from 9.4 million tons in 2024 to 18.7 million tons by 2030, driven by the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, the expansion of high-tech industries, and the ongoing push for greener manufacturing processes. Alarmingly, industry experts forecast that demand will outstrip supply as early as 2026, with the deficit expected to widen significantly by 2030. This looming supply gap underscores the urgent need for new sources and increased awareness of fluorspar’s strategic importance to both industry and society.

Sources:

  • Straits Research. (2024). Fluorspar Market Size, Share & Trends by 2033. (https://straitsresearch.com/report/fluorspar-market)

  • Carbon Credits. (2024, December 24). Lithium is driving the EV boom: Demand to quadruple by 2030. CarbonCredits.com. (https://carboncredits.com/lithium-is-driving-the-ev-boom-demand-to-quadruple-by-2030/)

  • Metal Tech News. (2024, February 19). Fluorspar: the forgotten battery mineral. MetalTechNews.com.(https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2024/02/21/tech-metals/fluorspar-the-forgotten-battery-mineral/1638.html)

  • Visual Capitalist. (2023, August 4). Charted: America’s import reliance of critical minerals. Elements by Visual Capitalist. (https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/americas-import-reliance-of-critical-minerals-charted/)

  • Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, as cited in: Tivan Ltd (ASX: TVN). (2025, February 3). Unique, Highly Critical and Valuable Fluorite Project (p. 10). (https://www.eveq.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TVN_EVO_20250203.pdf)