Classification of anthropogenic minerals for sustainable resource governance

Abstract The depletion of primary resources and the increase in waste have weakened global sustainability. Recycling secondary resources through a circular economy is playing an increasingly larger role in sustaining supply. However, a lack of scientific classification and quantification of secondary resources, also called “anthropogenic minerals”, has impeded the systematic and efficient governance of these resources. Here, through an analogy to the geological mineral classification framework, we create an assessment methodology of anthropogenic mineral resources, reserve bases, and reserves. Using automobiles and electrical and electronic equipment as examples, we found the formation of anthropogenic mineral resources of 42 target metals reached 15 million metric tonnes in 2021 in China, of which only 11–17 metals have anthropogenic mineral reserves and can be partially recycled, and the other 25–31 undergo a single life cycle in these modern products. A scientific assessment approach will contribute significantly to building industrial material circulation and conserving virgin resources by using secondary resources. This innovative classification framework and quantification method could potentially foster better policy-making for secondary resource governance and an improved technical system in the circular economy with the aim of decoupling economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation.