The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), led by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), has launched an initiative that seeks to promote Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) in the mining of transition minerals across Africa, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
This project, titled “Supporting a Just Energy Transition Through Responsible Business Conduct in Africa (2024-2027),” is backed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and aims to address the social and environmental challenges associated with the extraction of critical minerals needed for the global energy transition.
The project brings together key stakeholders, including African Resources Watch (AFREWATCH) from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) in Zambia, and HakiRasilimali from Tanzania. Its overarching goal is to support the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of the fast-growing demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are essential for technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
The extraction of these minerals presents a significant economic opportunity for resource-rich countries like Zimbabwe. However, it also raises concerns about the long-term environmental and social impacts on local communities. The initiative will work closely with the Zimbabwean government, mining companies, and civil society groups to ensure that these resources are mined responsibly, with respect for human rights and sustainable development.
ZELA, as part of the consortium, emphasized that the transition to green energy must be inclusive and just.
“While the global demand for transition minerals is growing, we must ensure that mining operations do not come at the expense of local communities or the environment. This project will help us develop strategies to address the risks and impacts of mining while promoting responsible business conduct in the sector,” Obert Bore from ZELA said at the launch.
The project will focus on three main objectives:
- Ensuring that state and business actors take steps to address the social and environmental impacts of mining.
- Promoting dialogue among national and regional stakeholders to encourage responsible mining practices.
- Encouraging investors and buyers in the global mineral supply chain to adopt RBC principles.
Hon. Matangira, Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development, also highlighted the importance of value addition in the mining sector.
“We must focus on how to add value to our minerals so that we can maximize their benefits,” Matangira said. “This includes ensuring that local communities benefit from infrastructure improvements and that mining operations are conducted in a way that conserves resources like water for both human consumption and agricultural use.”
The launch of this project comes as Zimbabwe positions itself as a key player in the supply of critical transition minerals. With substantial reserves of lithium, platinum, and other minerals essential to clean energy technologies, Zimbabwe is attracting increased interest from international investors. However, the country faces challenges related to the social and environmental impacts of mining, which the project seeks to address.
A representative from the Buhera community, one of the areas affected by mining activities, stressed the importance of community involvement. “We bring indigenous knowledge and must be consulted on matters that impact our livelihoods,” the representative said. “Mining companies need to engage with local communities, support local businesses, and ensure that we benefit from social cooperation programs like scholarships and infrastructure development.”
The project will also work to ensure greater transparency in the mining sector. Communities are calling for clearer communication regarding how much mining companies extract and how they are contributing to local development through corporate social responsibility initiatives. This aligns with the project’s long-term vision of a just energy transition in which human rights are respected and local communities are not left behind.
By focusing on responsible mining practices, the project aims to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable energy transition while ensuring that Zimbabwe’s rich mineral resources benefit both the country and the global clean energy movement.