With the ecological transition, the rush for critical minerals in Africa

2023-05-02 22:11:48
Cobalt, nickel, lithium… The African continent is full of minerals that are said to be critical, because they are necessary for the ecological transition. They are essential for renewable energies and clean technologies (electric batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, etc.). A race for these strategic metals is therefore launched. A theme that was at the heart of the 16th OECD forum on responsible mineral supply chains, which was held in Paris at the end of April. Mukasiri Sibanda represents the Zimbabwean NGO Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust, which specializes in the environment and natural resources. For him, no doubt, there is a rush for critical minerals. “We realized that in certain regions where there was no exploitation, interest grew suddenly because of lithium”, explains Mukasiri Sibanda “As last December in Mberengwa where we witnessed the arrival of more than 5,000 artisanal miners. We have also seen the arrival of large investments, mainly from the Chinese, but also from the United Kingdom and Australia. The interest is therefore really enormous. Eyes riveted on the Democratic Republic of Congo At the OECD forum devoted to responsible mineral supply chains, a strong Congolese delegation came. “You are well aware that all eyes are on our country with energy transition minerals”, underlines Godard Motemona Gibolum. He is the Deputy Minister of Mines of the DRC. The vice-minister comes out of a meeting with possible Chinese partners. ► To read also: The EU and the DRC announce an agreement on rare minerals such as copper and cobalt “We want there to be the creation of industries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, because we are less less focused on the export of our raw products. We want there to be added value,” says Motemona Gibolum. “We want win-win partnerships that benefit the Democratic Republic of Congo and particularly the local community, that is to say where the minerals are extracted. » Accentuated risks of corruption Exporting minerals, but in a transformed way, here is the declared ambition. However, for Jean-Pierre Okenda of the organization Resource Matters, in fact, the results are not yet there. “Lithium and cobalt, at the moment, the studies actually show that people are looking to export crude. If you look at countries like the DRC, the macroeconomic indicators are clear,” he says. A rush for critical minerals which increases the risk of corruption, points out Jean-Pierre Okenda. “With the demand for minerals, and this is already happening in my country, we will see license negotiations, contracts that will be negotiated outside the rules,” he fears. “It is a significant risk and the consequence is that ultimately it will generate resources for the African elites in power, to the detriment of the communities. This is why we call on development partners, we want to deal with issues of corruption. On the continent, civil society is also warning about the geopolitical pressures, environmental risks and pressures on arable land that this race for critical minerals poses.
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