Obert Bore

In a pivotal moment for Africa’s mining sector, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) and Global Witness (GW) recently launched the China-Africa Dialogue on Green Minerals for Responsible Investments (CADRI) on 5 February 2025 on the sidelines of the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI) in Cape Town, South Africa. The CADRI platform was established against the backdrop of significant Chinese investments in the transitional minerals in Africa which although crucial for economic growth and development are leaving a trail of social, environmental and cultural concerns among various stakeholders. The platform promises to reshape conversations around the future of the continent’s green mineral investments as it aims to tackle the challenges that arise from China’s growing role in Africa’s mineral resource extraction in general and green minerals in particular. With a particular focus on responsible investments and sustainable mining practices, CADRI is set to bring together African civil society organizations (CSOs), local communities, Chinese businesses and industry players, Chinese CSOs to push for responsible investments in green minerals.

Why is the China-Africa Dialogue Crucial?

According to the Africa Green Minerals Strategy, the continent stands on the brink of an economic transformation, fueled by the global demand for clean energy minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements. These minerals are essential for the world’s clean energy and technological future, and Africa with its vast mineral wealth, is poised to be a central player in this shift. China, Africa’s largest investor in mining sector is significant player in the mining of green minerals, including processing and refining. Chinese mining and battery companies have also invested USD 4.5 billion in lithium mines in recent years, driving many lithium projects in countries like Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mali. China is also significant investor in DRC controlling about 15 out of 17 major cobalt mining operations.[1] Similarly, China is the largest buyer of Africa’s minerals. In 2020, it imported about a third of Africa’s minerals and metals exports worth USD 16.6 billion, an increase of 28% from 2018. This highlights China’s increasing reliance on African minerals and an opportunity for African players to leverage these resources for greater benefits.[2] While these investments from China are bringing much-needed infrastructure and economic growth, they have also raised questions about resource depletion, environmental impacts, and governance concerns—especially as mining operations often disregard local communities’ rights. Essentially, these investments leave unintended consequences and negative externalities such as environmental degradation, forced displacement, and lack of adequate consultation of communities. A recent book published by ZELA on Emerging human rights implications of transitional minerals with case studies from Zim, Mozambique and DRC,[3] notes substantial community concerns regarding water pollution, increased competition over water between communities and companies, environmental degradation, unfair labour practices, lack of community benefit, involuntary displacements and loss of livelihoods around lithium, cobalt and graphite mining projects. Considering these challenges communities and CSOs often struggle to navigate the complexities of holding Chinese companies who operate under a different set of regulations.

For decades, African civil society organizations (CSOs) and communities have expressed concerns about the lack of effective channels for accessing information and seeking remedies when their rights are violated. These concerns are valid and demand long-term solutions. One way to address this is by collaborating with Chinese CSOs that are familiar with China’s regulatory frameworks, business culture, and operational methods. As the old Chinese proverb goes, yí gè líba sān gè zhuāng, yí gè hăohàn sān gè bang—meaning “two heads are better than one” and “it’s always helpful to have friends who can assist you.” With this in mind, the CADRI was established to create a platform for African stakeholders to build and strengthen relationships with Chinese CSOs, who have the knowledge and strategies to hold Chinese corporations accountable. The CADRI aims to address key challenges through the following strategic pillars:

1. Access to Information: Strengthening collaboration between African and Chinese CSOs opens doors for better information sharing and monitoring of mining activities.
2. Knowledge Building: Chinese overseas investments are governed by unique standards. Understanding these frameworks enables African stakeholders to advocate for practices that align with international human rights and environmental protections.
3. Influencing Corporate Behavior: Through cross-cultural dialogue, African CSOs can engage with their Chinese counterparts to drive more responsible corporate behaviors, advocating for transparency and accountability from Chinese mining companies operating in Africa.

Speaking during the launch of CADRI, Mutuso Dhliwayo ZELA’s Executive Director expressed that the platform marks a new phase in the way African CSOs approach responsible mining, and through collaboration with Chinese actors. As the world accelerates toward a clean energy future, this dialogue offers hope for a just transition—one that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability and equitable development for all. The curators of the CADRI appreciate that several platforms have been created to engage between African and Chinese actors. However, none of these platforms provide an opportunity to address mineral resource governance challenges including irresponsible mining practices. In addition, other platforms such as FOCAC are state led and with limited participation of CSOs from both ends. Therefore, the CADRI is a first of its kind – a CSO-led initiative focusing on learning, policy development, and problem-solving strategies. The CADRI will leverage on emerging responsible mining frameworks and responsible sourcing standards including the Responsible Mining Audit (RMA), led by the Zimbabwean government, and utilize international ESG frameworks to propose policy solutions for improving mining practices across the continent. It will also explore the utility of other initiatives and mechanisms such as Mediation and Consultation Mechanism for the Mining Industry and Mineral Value Chain, which is the first grievance redress mechanism applicable to Chinese corporations engaged in the mining and mineral value chain which was launched  by the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters[4] (“CCCMC”),

CADRI’s Objectives and Long-Term Vision

The overarching goal of CADRI is to ensure that China’s investments in Africa’s green mineral extraction can lead to sustainable development and equitable benefits for local communities. The initiative will work towards the following objectives:

1. Identifying key challenges and opportunities in transition minerals including governance, environmental sustainability, and economic equity.
2. Enhancing cooperation between African and Chinese CSOs to promote transparency and accountability in the management of Africa’s resources.
3. Developing Actionable Solutions to foster responsible investment practices in transition minerals that benefit both investors and host communities.
4. Strengthening Cross-Border Partnerships between African and Chinese stakeholders to address environmental, social, and governance risks in transitional minerals project and promote transparency and accountability  

Themes for Dialogue: A Roadmap for the Future

A series of dialogues will be planned on a quarterly basis through webinars and in-person sessions at major forums such as the Alternative Mining Indaba, Africa Critical Minerals Summit, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains among others. The planned dialogues will focus on various these including but not limited to Just Energy Transition in Africa; Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG frameworks); Community Voices in Natural Resources Management; CSO Strategies and Action Plans for engaging Chinese Companies. Planned events that the CADRI will feed into include;

• Publish What You Pay event on Critical Minerals and China’s role in the Global South: Navigating geopolitics and sustainable development taking place in Indonesia from 17 to 21 February 2025
• Power Shift Africa led event – A High Level Dialogue on Critical Minerals taking place from 25 to 27 February 2025 in Gaborone
• The ZELA’s research arm and think tank (the Africa Institute of Environmental Law) led dialogue on Africa’s Critical Minerals Value Chain: Exploring the opportunities and challenges it presents , which will be convened in collaboration with the Africa Minerals Development Center from 27-28 May 2025, in Lusaka Zambia

In conclusion, the future of Africa’s mineral wealth and its role in the global clean energy transition is at a crossroads. Through this initiative, Africa can harness the power of its resources for sustainable and inclusive growth, while ensuring that its communities, environments, and future generations thrive. We therefore call upon all interested stakeholders to reach out and join us in this collaborative path

Watch the session:

[1] https://afripoli.org/chinas-role-in-africas-critical-minerals-landscape-challenges-and-key-opportunities

[2] Ibid

[3]  https://zela.org/download/12502/

[4] https://en.cccmc.org.cn/ . see https://www.cccmc.org.cn/kcxfzzx/zyzx/al/ff80808187f9e83501881d10823206e4.html