Technology Metals

A loose grouping of metals used in small quantities in electronics and advanced manufacturing.

Definition

Metals essential for high-tech applications including electronics, semiconductors, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Technology metals overlap significantly with critical minerals and include indium, gallium, germanium, rare earths, and tellurium.

Where people go wrong

Among the vaguest terms in the sector, and frequently applied to a deposit to borrow a narrative. Ask which metal, what the market for it is, and who buys it — several trade in markets too small and opaque to support a mine.

See also

  • Critical Minerals — Minerals deemed essential to economic security and supply chain resilience, particularly for clean energy, def…
  • Strategic Metals — Metals considered essential for national defense, economic security, and critical infrastructure. Strategic me…
  • Indium — A rare metallic element (In, atomic number 49) used in flat-panel displays, touchscreens, solar cells, and sem…
  • Vanadium — A metallic element (V, atomic number 23) used in steel alloys for strengthening and in vanadium redox flow bat…

More metals & materials terms

AntimonyBase MetalsBattery MetalsCathode Active Material (CAM)Dysprosium (Dy)Electric Vehicle (EV) MetalsEnergy Transition MetalsGigafactoryGraphite (Natural vs Synthetic)IndiumLithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)Magnetic Rare Earths
All metals & materials terms →Full A–Z glossary →