"This is a finite planet (though most seem to ignore that) and current resource extraction projects (also known as environmental destruction projects) won’t meet demand for minerals indefinitely. There is no indication that the world wants to stop expanding economic activity, or even just continuing existing activity (which will always require more mining without 100% recycling, which is impossible). So, eventually, the world economy would hit mineral limits and, therefore, will start to prioritise mining projects that were previously unthinkable."