The greener hue of the new leaders contrasts with the old guard "resource nationalists," who have typically sought tight state control of energy and metals.

At present, electric cars are the largest market among EVs, with sales more than doubling in 2021 to over 6.4 million.

The Asia-Pacific region's greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 8.6% if Australia moves away from fossil fuel-intensive exports.

Mining investors are stampeding back into Zambia and Congo, which host vast copper and cobalt deposits.

In addition to ESG risks linked to its extraction, cobalt is at the top of the list because only two countries are in charge of producing and refining the battery metal.

Anglo American will take 70% of the JV, which will explore for copper and cobalt in Zambia's base metals-rich northwestern province.