In 2019, I argued that Canada’s mining sector could contribute to skills, accountability and more inclusive development in Africa. That argument still applies.

Africa is now central to worldwide competition for critical minerals, such as copper, cobalt, lithium and manganese, which are used in electric vehicles, power grids, advanced manufacturing and defence. The Atlantic Council has described this as a scramble for Africa’s critical minerals.

The continent holds more than one-quarter of the world’s known reserves of these minerals, including large high-grade copper and manganese deposits, according to a recent McKinsey analysis.

The related question is who influences project terms such as environmental oversight, benefit-sharing and the infrastructure decisions that accompany extraction.

Canada’s mining industry in Africa and social responsibility For critical minerals, it’s better to talk about SDGs than ESG Canada needs an immediate strategy for Africa

Canada’s mining industry in Africa and social responsibility

For critical minerals, it’s better to talk about SDGs than ESG

Canada needs an immediate strategy for Africa

Canadian mining and exploration companies held $352.6 billion in global assets in 2024. Africa was one of the larger destinations for Canadian mining assets outside the Americas, according to Natural Resources Canada.

The federal government has placed critical minerals at the centre of its economic security agenda. Its tools include the critical minerals strategy and the responsible business conduct abroad program.

Canada now has more structured tools than it did in 2019. Therefore, when Ottawa uses public finances to support mining projects abroad, it should require four things: joint environmental and social monitoring, transparent benefit-sharing, local content commitments and support for local regulators, institutions and organizations.

What reporting does not decide

The 2022 responsible business conduct abroad strategy replaced earlier corporate social responsibility policies........

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