Policy protections and social safeguards

Resource-rich countries of the G20 face a new policy paradox in the transition away from fossil fuels. Critical minerals are essential for low-carbon technologies, but the scale and pace of mining required to meet demand poses risks to the environment and communities at a local level. It is estimated that 69% of global reserves of critical minerals are located on the lands of Indigenous and land-connected peoples. This policy brief builds on the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (2023) commitment to support “reliable, diversified, sustainable and responsible supply chains for energy transitions, including for critical minerals”, and other important initiatives, such as the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in April 2024. We recommend a G20 Safeguards in Minerals Mapping and Analysis Programme (SiM-MAP), for identifying and synthesising data on the intersection of critical minerals with areas of social and environmental risk, to better inform public policy and regulation. The programme would exchange knowledge of where minerals exploration and development overlaps with sensitive areas, and other risk factors, such as low human development, food and water insecurity, gender inequality, high biodiversity value, cultural heritage, conservation and conflict-affected areas. Recommendations include to better integrate safeguards for mining projects within regulation and fund in-depth social science research on critical minerals development. Strategic partnerships, dialogue and participatory monitoring of policy implementation draws on the local knowledge systems of Indigenous and land-connected peoples for a just energy transition. 

Related publications: 

• Charting a people-centred minerals strategy to safeguard indigenous and land-connected communities in the global energy transition 
• Critical minerals supply in uncertain times 

Project leads: Kathryn Sturman, k.sturman@uq.edu.au and Deanna Kemp, d.kemp@uq.edu.au 

Spatial analysis of critical minerals and socio-economic data can identify communities being put under pressure by mining activities. This study highlights that some of Australia's most disadvantaged areas host the highest number of critical minerals mines and mineral deposits. These findings are significant because Australia's Critical Minerals Strategy promises to accrue benefits locally by building partnerships with host communities and First Nations peoples. We demonstrate how novel data compilations can illuminate pre-existing issues and inequalities for policy makers and industry to understand and address.  

Related publications:

• Mapping critical minerals projects and their intersection with Indigenous peoples' land rights in Australia 
• A socio-spatial analysis of Australia's critical minerals endowment and policy implications 

Project lead: Deanna Kemp, d.kemp@uq.edu.au  

The Community Relations at Exploration short course provided by the Sustainable Minerals Institute is aimed at professionals working within the minerals exploration sector including geoscientists, community relations workers, consultants and regulators. The course is designed to deepen understanding of the social issues and impacts that mineral exploration activities can have on local communities and give workers in this field the insights, tool and skills necessary for building strong community relationships in the early stages of a resources project that will be critical for future development of the project. 

Project lead: Sarah Mackenzie, s.mackenzie@uq.edu.au