At the recent DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum, experts debated the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) potential role in meeting the global demand for critical minerals while upholding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
The session, “Energy transition metals and compliance with operating and production standards,” featured insights from three distinguished panellists: Lucy Tamlyn, US Ambassador to the DRC; Dorothée Masele of Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM); and Molebogeng Mazibuko of AFC, Nigeria.
With the energy transition surge, demand for minerals such as copper, manganese, and lithium is on the rise. According to a report by ESI Africa, the core challenge lies in mining these resources sustainably and responsibly. Addressing supply chain exploitation, from child labour to human rights abuses, is paramount.
Ambassador Tamlyn highlighted the consumer push for ethically sourced minerals and lauded Entreprise Générale du Cobalt SA (EGC) for championing responsible cobalt production in the DRC. She also cited US and USAID initiatives in aiding local communities.
Dorothée Masele, emphasizing local community development, stressed the DRC’s duty to ensure sustainable extraction benefits its citizens. “We need to translate discussions into actions for battery production in the DRC,” Masele added.
Molebogeng Mazibuko underscored the importance of context in applying international standards. Addressing the socio-economic challenges in the DRC that often force children into early labour, she advocated for significant educational infrastructure investments. Mazibuko emphasized the significance of social investments in mining communities and underscored the necessity of industry awareness about regulatory evolutions.
Both Mazibuko and Masele iterated the importance of robust ESG standards but also noted that they demand consistent focus and dedicated resources.
In wrapping up, Ambassador Tamlyn outlined three essential takeaways: the onus of development isn’t solely on the private sector; governments must foster a conducive business environment, and reputations are at stake if artisanal mining sectors are overlooked.
