Overall demand for at least some critical minerals will increase significantly over the next 30 years (by 2050) yet public awareness and their governance in Tanzania and East Africa as a whole, is not aligned
Green or criti
cal minerals have been broadly defined or described specifically as minerals (metallic and non metallic) with limited geographical presence and stressed mineral supply chains but critically associated with and required for technologies for industrial use during the current and future global transition to clean and renewable energy.
Overall demand for at least some critical minerals such as Nickel, Lithium, Cobalt, Tantalum, Tungsten and Copper will increase significantly over the next 30 years (by 2050) yet public awareness and their governance in Tanzania and East Africa as a whole, is not aligned
Preliminary reports show that Tanzania has a wide variety of what are considered Critical or strategic Minerals relevant to the future global energy transition. According to various geological surveys such as the US Geological Survey Report, S & P Global data bases and Tanzania government reports, critical mineral deposits found in Tanzania include; Graphite, Rare Earth, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Niobium, Lead, Lithium, Manganese, Diamond, Nickel, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium, Tungsten, Lead, Bauxite and other gaseous minerals such as helium. A scoping study by the Natural Resources Governance Institute (2022) identified presence of 24 confirmed occurrences of green minerals, with Tanzania having the 4th largest deposit of Graphite. According to the US geological survey reports (USGS 2015), new Tanzanian mines, if developed could likely to have substantial effects upon world markets for graphite, niobium, and rare earths.
The deposits and potential contribution that these minerals could make to Tanzania’s economic development and its own energy transition has not largely picked up in Tanzania and the East Africa region generally. Yet to date the public awareness and policy discussion has not picked momentum within Tanzania and East Africa as a whole. The public is not aware on this new trend and governments are yet to align their governance and to leverage on this potential critical minerals boom. Entirely new policies to govern critical or green minerals alone may not be necessary but substantial tweaks of existing policies to suit the current and future global energy trends are required. Essentially, governments, local citizens and communities must benefit from this new mineral boom
Work under this area includes
- Research and Public awareness through simplified briefs
- Organise Annual Capacity Building and training on Critical Minerals Governance and Management Course
- Specialized convenings and policy dialogues on Critical Minerals and Energy Transition
- Support of National and Regional institutions and networks promoting transparency, justice and reduced harm from mining
- Engage in Local and International advocacy for just reforms and mining justice
Projects under this program includes
Mining Responsible Business Conduct and Minerals Certification
Mining and processing transition minerals risk damaging landscapes, degrading biodiversity, and fueling greenhouse emissions and human rights abuses. For example, mining of gold, diamond and other precious minerals involves blasting excavation of land surfaces measuring hundreds of square miles wide thousands of kilometers deep. Extracting just one ton of lithium as a critical mineral consumes about 2 million liters of water, with nearly half of global copper and lithium production occurring in water-stressed regions
Globally and regionally, the policy landscape has evolved, with emphasis on managing the mining sector in a manner that is consistent with Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and respect for human rights. An 2024 UN-convened expert panel report issued guiding principles and actionable recommendations to ensure that the global energy transition is pursued with equity, justice, and sustainability, explicitly warning against adverse impacts on communities. There are further concerns that competition and mining for these resources could worsen existing tensions and escalate mineral-driven conflicts in countries and mining communities. Weak policies and institutions in mineral-rich nations exacerbate such risks, rendering it imperative to navigate the transition minerals sector without adverse repercussions on human rights.
In this regard, the UN, OECD, EU and AU have developed global and regional frameworks to address the human rights, environmental, social, and governance challenges associated with transition minerals. These include the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs), the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Sourcing, the AMV and the Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS), among others. These require that governments put in place adequate policies and legal measures and implement them to protect citizens against human rights harm or abuse associated with business activities.[1] Although not all frameworks may be legally binding, they provide relevant and persuasive globally accepted standards that countries can benchmark against in developing robust national minerals governance frameworks.
Moreover, regional mechanism such as the ICGLR and Kimberly Process (KP) certification mechanisms exist to enhance responsible sourcing and mitigate conflict driven. These however have governance gaps and face serious lack of political will to implement.
Our projects focus on:
- Promotion of Responsible Business Conduct in Mining: Promotion of sustainable and ethical mining governance frameworks and mitigation of harm caused by mining.
- Minerals Certification and Chain of Custody: Strengthens and promotes regional minerals certification and chain of custody mechanisms such as the Kimberly Process and ICGLR, reducing illicit and conflict minerals proliferation.
Our Activities
- Evidence Based Research and advocacy
- High Level Stakeholders and Academia interactive dialogues
- Support of ICGLR and UNOESGL initiatives to end mineral driven conflicts in East Africa and ICGLR Region.
Critical Minerals Governance and Management Course
Every year under this program we offer a flagship on 8-13 Weeks Course on Critical Minerals Governance and Management
Africa is central to the global supply of critical minerals required for clean energy technologies, battery storage systems, digital infrastructure, and defence industries. Yet the governance of these minerals remains contested, with challenges including weak regulatory systems, corruption risks, environmental degradation, geopolitics and conflict-affected supply chains, illicit financial flows, and limited domestic value addition.
While critical minerals may be viewed connotatively like any other minerals, their distinct characteristics, spatially restricted distribution and significant role they will play in driving the technology to support a clean future makes them a special type of minerals warranting special governance, management and leadership emphasis.
This course equips participants with strategic, governance, compliance and development skills and tools needed to manage critical minerals responsibly, ensuring these resources support sustainable extraction, industrialization and inclusive development. Participants further gain knowledge and understanding of the contemporary debates, the political economy, geopolitical risks and how to interact with different stakeholders, develop and manage the prerequisite regulatory landscape to drive investment into the sector in a just and sustainable development manner.
The Critical Minerals Governance and Management Course is designed to provide participants with both conceptual understanding and practical tools for influencing, designing, and implementing sustainable solutions. The course content is structured into 13 interlinked topics, each addressing a critical dimension of critical minerals governance, management and leadership in Africa.
To apply, send your support documents (Motivation letter, CV and Headshot photo) must be sent as a single PDF or word file to: training@gepc.ortz
[1] https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf