Rising international consumption of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, nickel and graphite used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, solar panels and wind turbines is expected to sustain demand in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe for decades, as the march away from carbon-based fuels rolls on.
"The potential pay-offs can be enormous," Richard Saunders, associate professor in York's Department of Politics, says of the African Extractivism & the Green Transition project he directs.
"These regions are scarred by abuses, including environmental damage, tax evasion, illicit financial flows and corrupt deal-making. There is repeated abuse of mining-affected communities and local small-scale miners."
Saunders says local economies, businesses and supply chains have not benefitted from foreign mining operations. While international investment and profits have soared, the reward for host governments has been modest, environmental protections have been weak, and local employment and supply chain development have been disappointing.
African governments have struggled to regulate the industry, and without innovative regulatory reforms, the imbalances could deepen and further destabilize local economies.
"In Southern Africa, while there is a lot of discussion about taking advantage of the green transition in the northern industrial countries, there are research, knowledge and capacity gaps around how exactly to negotiate the best deals, under what conditions, and with what strategic outcomes in mind," says Saunders.
That's why he's leveraging the expertise of political economists, anthropologists and sociologists, legal scholars, historians, and policy analysts and advocates from a diverse collection of research organizations, to study the dynamics of critical minerals' extraction and regulatory innovation to support policy-making in Southern Africa and beyond. It's a six-year, $2.5-million project funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Grant.
The team hopes to contribute to research and debate around "green value chains," looking at fairer tax and investment schemes, more participation by small-scale miners, and stronger links to local business that will add value locally and create skills and employment opportunities. Through locally-focused research and public policy dialogues, policy briefs and podcasts with policymakers and interested parties, they hope to amplify the perspectives of those whose voices aren't usually heard. These include mining-affected communities, local mining supply services, mine workers, trade unions and traditional authorities.
"We're investigating research gaps around crucial local aspects of the global green transition," Saunders says. "How can policies be made more inclusive of local needs, what do they look like, not just on paper, but in practice? What kinds of institutional reforms might work best, and how can greater local participation and transparency in minerals management be encouraged?"
For Saunders, there is a personal drive to support the success of African nations. He moved to Zimbabwe in the 1980s for his PhD, and lived and worked there for two decades.
"My whole adult working life has been spent and focused on Southern Africa," he says. "I'm committed to mentoring a new generation of African researchers, activists and policymakers. The next generation is energized and so keen to learn. Helping to expose them to innovative research tools, methodologies and ideas from Africa and abroad is worth working for."
York U, with its focus on making positive change through international research, is host institution of the research project. Partners include the University of Ottawa, Centre d' Expertise en Gestion Minère (DRC), Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (Zambia) and the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
