The world is rushing to Africa to mine critical minerals like lithium – how the continent should deal with the demand

Global demand for critical minerals , particularly lithium, is growing rapidly to meet clean energy and de-carbonisation objectives.

In our recent research, we analysed African countries that produce minerals that the rest of the world has deemed “critical”. We focused on lithium projects in Namibia, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana. We discovered these countries do not yet have robust strategies for the critical minerals sector. Instead they are simply sucked into the global rush for these minerals.

What are critical minerals? There is no universal consensus on what critical minerals are. Various regions and institutions have different lists of critical minerals, and the contents of these lists keep changing. For instance, Australia has classified 47 minerals as critical. The European Union has identified a list of 34 critical raw materials that are important to the EU economy and face a risk of disruption.

Our research revealed that conversations on Africa’s critical minerals had largely been shaped by geostrategic and economic opportunities arising from demand from western countries and China. Less attention was paid to the supply chains African countries should secure for current and future industrial applications.

Our research also highlights that emerging lithium mining in Zimbabwe, the DRC and Namibia is reinforcing and breeding new forms of corruption and illegality in the resources sector. Ghana is still in the early stage of setting up its lithium sector.

Agriculture Australia China Critical Minerals Democratic Republic Of The Congo (DRC) Ghana Lithium Mining Low Carbon Economy Namibia Resource Curse Zimbabwe Battery Production Green Transition Low Carbon Energy

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Israel says South Africa 'genocide' case at World Court 'completely divorced' from factsIsrael has lashed out at South Africa's case before the UN's top court, describing it as 'completely divorced' from reality, as Pretoria urges judges to order a ceasefire in Gaza.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

Mapping malaria in Africa: climate change study predicts where mosquitoes will breed in futureMosquito populations can respond quickly to changing climate, which means the location of areas at risk of malaria might change.
Source: _TCglobal - 🏆 4. / 83 Read more »

South Africa elections: what are the issues and will ANC lose its majority?Country goes to polls on 29 May and unemployment, inequality and power cuts have dented ruling party’s support
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Penguins in peril: why two bird charities are taking South Africa’s environment minister to courtConservationists say Barbara Creecy has failed to implement vital changes to stop fishing around colonies amid fears African penguins could be extinct by 2035
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

‘This is happening’: I’m A Celeb host Julia Morris recalls traumatic flight to South AfricaAustralian comedian Julia Morris has opened up about the traumatic moment she realised she was experiencing a miscarriage while stuck onboard a flight to South Africa.
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

More control, less deniability: what next for Russia in Africa after Wagner?Moscow has stricter say over efforts to influence since Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death as western militaries exit the Sahel
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »