TORONTO, ONTARIO – January 8, 2026 – The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) today announced it will host a live virtual Masterclass titled “The Competition for Critical Minerals in a Deglobalized World During the Next Decade (2026–2035),” on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.
The one-hour CMI Masterclass will examine how intensifying geopolitical fragmentation—and the emergence of new trading blocs and more self-reliant national strategies—may reshape competition for critical minerals between 2026 and 2035. Topics will include the strategic reordering of supply chains, shifting alliance dynamics, trade and industrial policy, and the implications for investment and national security planning across Western economies.
Featured Speakers
The Masterclass will feature:
- Constantine Karayannopoulos, former President, CEO and Chairman of Neo Performance Materials Inc. (TSX: NEO | OTCQX: NOPMF), a veteran rare earth and critical minerals strategist with decades of experience spanning the full value chain.
- Jack Lifton, Co-Chair of the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI), widely recognized for his analysis of the market fundamentals and geopolitics of critical minerals and rare earths.
The session will be hosted and moderated by Melissa “Mel” Sanderson, Co-Chair of the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI).
Deglobalization: A New Competitive Landscape
As the United States restructures its engagement with the world and long-standing cooperative relationships evolve, the critical minerals economy is entering a period defined by greater competition and less cohesion. The next decade is expected to be shaped by new trade groupings, more assertive industrial policies, and a race to secure reliable access to raw materials, processing capacity, and downstream manufacturing—particularly as Western governments seek to reduce strategic dependence on China.
“I can’t think of another time when geopolitics, trade wars, mercantilism, and evolving industrial strategies have produced so much uncertainty, risk, and opportunity around the world—while bringing critical minerals, once again, to the forefront,” said Constantine Karayannopoulos.
Jack Lifton added: “Deglobalization is turning critical minerals into strategic assets—and accelerating the formation of new blocs, new rules, and new chokepoints. Between 2026 and 2035, the advantage will go to countries and companies that secure processing capacity and durable partnerships early, before policy shocks and export controls redraw the competitive map.”
The CMI Masterclass will explore these dynamics, providing attendees with actionable intelligence on how shifting geopolitics, trade realignments, and industrial policy could impact critical minerals supply chains, market access, and investment decisions through 2035.
Event Details
Title: CMI Masterclass – The Competition for Critical Minerals in a Deglobalized World During the Next Decade (2026–2035)
Date & Time: Thursday, January 29, 2026 · 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Format: Live virtual event (recording available to registrants)
Registration: Complimentary for CMI members · CAD $25 for non-members
Registration link: Click here
About the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI)
The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is a global brain trust for the critical minerals economy, serving as a hub that connects companies, capital markets, and policymakers. Through CMI Masterclasses, the weekly Critical Minerals Report (CMR), bespoke research, and board-level advisory services, CMI delivers actionable intelligence spanning exploration finance, supply chains, and geopolitics.
CMI also convenes the flagship Annual Critical Minerals Institute Summit, a global gathering of government leaders, institutional investors, and industry executives. The next event, CMI Summit V, themed “The New Critical Minerals Economy,” will take place May 13–14, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
For more information, visit CriticalMineralsInstitute.com or contact CMI Executive Director Tracy Hughes at +1 647-289-7714 or [email protected].
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