Advancing responsible sourcing
in mineral value chains
The Re-Sourcing Global Advocacy Forum – Africa took place on 5 February 2023 in Cape Town at the Raddison Red V&A Hotel, South Africa back-to-back with the Mining Indaba Conference.
Global Advocacy Forum – Africa, organized by Re-Sourcing in collaboration with SRK Consulting and Webber Wentzel, provides a platform for African stakeholders to exchange on the most pressing regional issues and contribute to the European discussions & policies governing responsible sourcing practices across mineral value chains. The objective of the event is to offer an interface where African and European stakeholders can further advance collaboration for sustainable global mineral value chains.
The agenda included interactive sessions and short panel discussions on the interplay between African and European policy and requirements for responsible sourcing across global mineral value chains. The RE-Sourcing project also contributed videos on various topics concerning the impact of EU policies on the ground in Africa, the environmental impact of the current sourcing practices, and African stakeholder perspectives on what needs to be done. See them below.
Africa is rich in minerals needed for the green energy transition: over 60 metals & minerals that account for 30% of the global reserves needed for this transition. Yet Africa is only responsible for 3.8% of global CO2 emissions. So what does responsible sourcing mean for the people of Africa? We set out to answer this question by interviewing six different stakeholder groups on the ground in Africa. Hear what they have to say:
Mineral-intensive technologies such as solar and wind power hold great potential as a means of addressing climate change, yet their production also poses significant negative impacts for the individuals and communities mining the necessary minerals. In Africa, where the negative impacts of mineral-intensive technologies are disproportionately high, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) remains a significant source of income for millions of families, despite its often unfair and exploitative nature. Hear the voices of those directly impacted and gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by workers in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations, those groups that are most affected by current practices, and the environmental impact of mining in Africa:
The implementation of regulations to promote sustainable sourcing of raw minerals is a commendable objective. However, achieving this goal can be challenging, and the policies are often formulated at a distance from the real-world implications of their enactment. While processing countries prioritize sustainable mining practices and working conditions, African stakeholders have historically had little influence on these matters and are often exposed to comply with the demands of upstream manufacturing corporations. Hear from the perspective of those who have mines in their backyard on what needs to be improved in the future and how decision makers can better involve them:
Individual African stakeholders are currently vulnerable to exploitation in the mining sector, but Africa as a continent remains well positioned to play an important role in meeting the demand required for the green energy transition. Solutions for strengthening collaboration and empowering the African continent are emerging from across the continent. A collective Africa is not hopeless. See how to solve problems on the ground with Africa, not for Africa:
For any questions, please get in touch at info@re-sourcing.eu
