SAFE’s Ambassador Alfred Hoffman Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy has published recommendations, previously shared with the U.S. government, to improve standards, security, and transparency in global mineral supply chains.
The recommendations aim to empower lower-income, minerals-rich countries to move beyond extraction and develop advanced mineral economies while meeting surging global demand for energy transition projects.
The Issue Brief: Developing EV Battery Supply Chains for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth emerged from two Electric Vehicle Battery Council Workshops, part of a tripartite MOU between the United States, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Facilitated by SAFE’s Minerals Center with the U.S. Department of State and hosted in Zambia and the DRC in September 2023, the workshops included a delegation of experts from industry, academia, federal agencies, the national labs, and other international partners to determine actionable next steps.
To advance these objectives, SAFE suggests that the U.S. Government could:
- Focus efforts on delivering visible projects to reaffirm U.S. commitment and seriousness.
- Link existing and future production facilities and special economic zones with the Lobito Corridor Project.
- Increase knowledge transfer and technical education programming in the region to enable capacity building and knowledge transfers in mineral exploration, refining, and manufacturing.
- Create a step-by-step roadmap with a graduated process for Zambia and the DRC to move down the minerals value chain.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL ISSUE BRIEF HERE
This issue brief builds on the Minerals Center’s work with the U.S. State Department. In November 2023, the Minerals Center and the State Department inked the Minerals Investment Network for Vital Energy Security and Transition, or MINVEST, initiative, which brings the private sector to the table to support the goals of the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).
SAFE is the sole NGO partner to the State Department to support the goals of the MSP through engaging the private sector. To this end, the Minerals Center co-hosted several events at Mining Indaba with Under Secretary Jose Fernandez, EXIM Chair Reta Jo Lewis, Deputy U.S. International Development Finance Corporation CEO Nisha Biswal, Prosper Africa Coordinator British Robinson, and their respective senior staff to emphasize the workshop findings and recommendations.
