Brazil–South Africa Dialogue on Critical Minerals

Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) participated in a high-level panel discussion hosted by E+ Transição Energética and the Brazilian Embassy in South Africa, as part of the Brazil–South Africa Dialogue on Critical Minerals and the Just Energy Transition under the T20 platform.

The dialogue brought together policymakers, civil society actors, and technical experts to explore how South Africa and Brazil—two mineral-rich countries—can strengthen cooperation to advance a fair and sustainable energy transition.

The discussion focused on the strategic role of critical minerals—including platinum group metals, manganese, chromium, and vanadium—in enabling green technologies while supporting inclusive economic development, job creation, and emissions reduction.

Key Themes from the Dialogue:

• Global Relevance of Critical Minerals
  Minerals from South Africa and Brazil are essential for clean energy technologies and global decarbonisation pathways.

• Just Transition Frameworks
  Emphasis was placed on building low-carbon economies that are also socially just—ensuring workers and communities are not left behind.

• South–South Cooperation
  Participants called for deeper collaboration between developing nations to share policy strategies, technical expertise, and investment frameworks.

• Governance, Labour & Environment
  The conversation underscored the need for stronger regulatory enforcement, participatory governance, and community engagement in resource governance.

• Local Value Addition & Circular Economies
  Panellists advocated for mineral processing within producer countries to support domestic industries and reduce export dependency.

• Reimagining Development Models
  There was strong consensus on reshaping mineral-led development to correct historical injustices and ensure long-term community benefit.

SARW’s Contribution

SARW shared reflections on:

• The importance of community-centred governance in critical mineral extraction.

• The value of digital accountability tools, such as the Africa Mining Accountability Platform (AMAP), in enhancing transparency and grievance redress;

• The need for equitable policy frameworks that align mineral strategies with national development goals and global sustainability targets.