• INSIGHT
allow organisations to flag possible unintended consequences of future European directives aimed at responsible sourcing – before those directives were applied . This recognises that there are many national standards to which mines already comply , which do not need to be reinvented . These standards have been developed following ongoing , pro-active engagement between stakeholders .
We expect the mining sector to be enthusiastic about participating in RE-SOURCING consultations , as it contributes to risk management strategies , while also being an effective way of providing price support for acting responsibly .
Responsible miners have embraced both the opportunities and challenges of responsible mining . They can only gain from wellconsidered responsible sourcing standards being evenly applied across the sector to all the players . • Africa is estimated to hold about 30 % of the global mineral reserves
RE-SOURCING is an EU-funded multi-stakeholder platform to advance responsible sourcing of raw materials across global mineral value chains . It promotes strategic agenda setting , as well as the coherent application of practices for responsible sourcing .
The initiative is developing roadmaps for three key sectors : renewable energy ; mobility ; and electric and electronic equipment . The focus is on supporting a sustainable transition based on environmentally friendly , socially equitable and economically profitable sourcing in global mineral value chains .
Africa is estimated to hold about 30 % of the global mineral reserves required for the green energy transition , hosting deposits of more than 60 metals and minerals . For certain minerals such as cobalt , the continent contains about 70 % of the world ’ s resources . At the same time , it contributes only a fraction of global carbon dioxide emissions – just 3.8 % in 2020 .
It is therefore vital that Africa has a voice in how responsible sourcing of these crucial minerals is defined and guided . However , articulating that voice is not easy . Many of the key stakeholders in Africa – such as communities impacted by mining , artisanal miners and collectors of electronic waste – are survival-focused , and do not see themselves as part of a mining value-chain . This is despite the involvement of large numbers of people . For instance , there are about 10 million people involved in artisanal mining in Africa – about half of them being women . The sector is thought to support about 60 million people in total .
SRK Consulting is supporting the EU ’ s RE-SOURCING initiative by facilitating the input of stakeholders such as mining communities and artisanal miners from around Africa .
It is vital that Africa has a voice in how responsible sourcing of these crucial minerals is defined and guided .