Beyond extraction: Value addition for Africa’s critical minerals

Many of the metals and minerals required for the global green energy transition are located in African countries whose governments are clear that the developmental benefits of these mineral value chains must outweigh the inevitable social and environmental costs of natural resource extraction. African countries are actively pursuing an agenda for mineral processing and beneficiation through national and continental policy plans and controversial export restrictions on unprocessed material. In response to these pressures, international actors have begun to provide technocratic support towards better understanding of the specific challenges and requirements for developing beneficiation and processing in Africa.

At this event, stakeholders from government, policymakers, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and academics will discuss the current research frontiers on critical mineral processing in Africa, reflect on the current array of knowledge products and implementation plans, and hear from key stakeholders on the present and future needs for research and deeper understanding. The event will be multi-disciplinary, with contributions on geopolitical, technical, social and environmental considerations.

This event will be by invitation only and held under Chatham House Rule. This event is held in partnership between Chatham House and Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) an FCDO UK-AID funded research and evidence programme implemented by a partnership of leading UK universities.