講演情報
[1102]Thailand’s Critical Mineral Supply Chains: From Resource Security to Circular Economy Opportunities
○Phengsaart Theerayut1、Promjinda Panuwat1、Sanjitsampan Punyisa1、srichonphaisarn Palot1、Park Ilhwan2、Ito Mayumi2、Boonpramote Thitisak1 (1. Department of Mining & Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University、2. Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University)
司会： パク イルファン（北海道大学）
キーワード：
critical minerals、energy transition、circular economy、Thailand
Southeast Asia is becoming increasingly important in critical mineral supply chains due to energy transition, industrial security, and green economic development. Within this region, Thailand represents a distinctive case. Unlike several neighboring countries with large remaining upstream mineral resources, Thailand has already passed through a major phase of mineral resource development. The country was once one of the world’s leading tin producers, particularly through mining activities in the southern region, where many former mining areas have since transformed into tourism-based local economies. This historical transition illustrates how Thailand’s role in mineral supply chains has shifted from primary resource extraction toward industrial utilization, processing, trade, and value creation.
At present, Thailand’s mineral industry is dominated by industrial minerals that support domestic supply chains, particularly in construction, cement, ceramics, glass, and related manufacturing sectors. Thailand also remains an important global exporter of gypsum. In contrast, for several critical minerals such as copper, antimony, and rare earth elements, domestic upstream production is limited. Nevertheless, Thailand retains technical and industrial capabilities derived from its long history in mineral processing. For example, the country continues to play a role in rare earth supply chains through the import, beneficiation, and export of mineral concentrates, although high-value separation and refining are still largely conducted elsewhere.
Accordingly, Thailand’s future position depends less on new large-scale mining and more on strengthening domestic processing capacity, urban mining, secondary resource utilization, and environmentally responsible mineral governance. Under the Bio-Circular-Green Economy framework, these approaches can reduce import dependence, enhance resource efficiency, and position Thailand as a resilient processing and circular economy node within Southeast Asia’s critical mineral supply chains.
At present, Thailand’s mineral industry is dominated by industrial minerals that support domestic supply chains, particularly in construction, cement, ceramics, glass, and related manufacturing sectors. Thailand also remains an important global exporter of gypsum. In contrast, for several critical minerals such as copper, antimony, and rare earth elements, domestic upstream production is limited. Nevertheless, Thailand retains technical and industrial capabilities derived from its long history in mineral processing. For example, the country continues to play a role in rare earth supply chains through the import, beneficiation, and export of mineral concentrates, although high-value separation and refining are still largely conducted elsewhere.
Accordingly, Thailand’s future position depends less on new large-scale mining and more on strengthening domestic processing capacity, urban mining, secondary resource utilization, and environmentally responsible mineral governance. Under the Bio-Circular-Green Economy framework, these approaches can reduce import dependence, enhance resource efficiency, and position Thailand as a resilient processing and circular economy node within Southeast Asia’s critical mineral supply chains.