Webinar: The Effects of Mining Critical Energy Transition Minerals on Society in Latin America and Africa

Webinar Date: 28 May 2025
Organised by: Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) in partnership with civil society actors across both continents

On 28 May 2025, SARW convened a landmark Africa–Latin America webinar to interrogate the social, economic, and environmental consequences of mining critical energy transition minerals. The virtual dialogue brought together experts, civil society leaders, and academics from both regions to reflect on the geopolitical pressures shaping extractive policies and to elevate community voices calling for justice, equity, and true transformation.

The discussions centred on key challenges facing resource-rich countries navigating the green energy transition — from structural inequalities and exploitative trade agreements to the ongoing exclusion of marginalised groups, particularly women and youth.

Speakers emphasized that unless energy transition efforts are grounded in justice, participatory governance, and strong South–South solidarity, green industrialisation risks reproducing the same extractivist harms of the past.

🔍 Key Reflections & Takeaways

Energy Transition & Global Geopolitics
Julieta discussed how control over value chains remains concentrated in the Global North, despite the Global South bearing the extraction burden. Yao Graham framed the critical minerals debate within broader geopolitical tensions and called for alignment between mineral governance and Africa’s transformative visions like the AMV.

Social & Environmental Impacts of Mining
Jose De Echave and Alaka Atieno presented stark examples from Peru and Kenya of how critical mineral projects trigger environmental degradation, fuel conflict, and erode community rights. They underscored the need for community-led governance models, benefit-sharing agreements, and stronger environmental regulation.

Women & Territorial Defense
Beatriz Olivera and Judith from Peru spotlighted the disproportionate burden on women in mining zones, including exposure to violence, ecological harm, and loss of livelihoods. They called for gendered perspectives in policy and recognised women as frontline defenders of territories and natural resources.

South–South Cooperation & Extractive Justice
Janet Zhou called attention to the unequal power dynamics in international financing and trade agreements, especially those shaped by G20 and bilateral deals. Speakers collectively urged civil society actors in Africa and Latin America to develop a shared solidarity agenda that pushes for fairer terms and alternative development models.

Towards Equitable Transitions
The panel reaffirmed that a just energy transition must centre on human rights, indigenous sovereignty, and structural transformation. Local beneficiation, democratic participation, and strengthened regional frameworks are critical to achieving long-term social and economic justice.

🛠 Next Steps

• Pan-African–Latin American convening: TWN-Africa will lead efforts to organise a follow-up conference focused on cross-regional solidarity and critical minerals.

• G20 Engagement: Webinar insights will feed into the T20 Task Forces on trade and financing for development.

• Youth & Gender Participation: CSOs to institutionalise mechanisms for inclusive participation in policy processes.

• South–South Joint Agenda: Ongoing coordination between African and Latin American partners to build advocacy platforms around mineral governance.