EDITORIAL SUSTAINABILITY
In the global pursuit of sustainable development and the transition towards cleaner energy technologies, the demand for critical raw materials( CRMs) has surged, casting a spotlight on the impact of their extraction and processing.
For context, CRMs refer to raw materials that are economically and strategically important for various industries, particularly those related to technology, energy, and defence, but are at high risk of supply disruption due to their scarcity or concentration in certain regions. These materials are essential in the production of advanced technologies such as renewable energy systems( solar panels, wind turbines), electric vehicles( EVs), electronics, and military applications. Their critical nature stems from the combination of their high demand and the difficulty in securing reliable and sustainable supply chains.
Countries and jurisdictions like the United States and the European Union have published specific lists of CRMs. South Africa, however, has not done so, although the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has identified minerals crucial to the country’ s economy and global supply chains, including platinum group metals( PGMs), manganese, vanadium, and chromium. These minerals fall within the generally accepted global definition of CRMs.
As global demand for CRMs rises – driven by factors such as the growth of EVs, the adoption of renewable energy, and technological advancements – initiatives like the Lobito
Corridor are paving the way for sustained industry expansion. The Lobito Corridor, a vital transportation route connecting the mineral-rich regions of Central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, to the Atlantic coast through Angola, provides more efficient access to export markets. This, alongside South Africa’ s position as a leading global producer of PGMs, manganese, and significant reserves of vanadium, is strategically positioning the region for long-term growth, enhancing both supply chain efficiency and resilience in response to increasing global demand.
But while South Africa’ s strategic role in the global CRM market presents significant economic opportunities, these come with the responsibility of managing the environmental impacts that mining inevitably entails. As we explore the economic opportunities presented by CRM investments in South Africa specifically, interested parties must understand how to navigate the intricate landscape of environmental and regulatory compliance. To do so, it is first necessary to understand the relationship between CRM mining and the environment.
CRM mining and its environmental consequences
Mining CRMs in South Africa plays a pivotal role in the global supply chain, particularly for clean energy technologies. However, the extraction of these materials carries significant
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