Social Justice & Mining

EU POLICY ON RESPONSIBLE MINERAL TRADE

UCSIA/USOS Conference on Tuesday 14 February 2023

This conference opened a public conversation on the social impacts and environmental degradation of mining, among other challenges posed by the energy transition in relation to mining in what is usually named the ‘Global South’. At the same time, the aim was to understand the extent to which EU mineral regulation initiatives take into account (or not) social dynamics and local knowledge in mining communities. The discussion also focused on the role of SMEs, whose effect on the sustainability of due diligence and the creation of inclusive jobs is often overlooked in the implementation of mining policies. This is important for social justice purposes, as the collective interests of EU institutions and companies and environmental objectives can be seen as essential components of the mineral supply chain. To this end, and building on the Justice in Mining Networks action plan, there is a need to (1) end the criminalization of human rights and environmental defenders, (2) promote strong corporate regulation and government accountability in mining-related projects, and (3) connect the narratives of mining, from the local perspective (e.g. impacts of mining, quality of life, right to work, alternatives to mining) to the global perspective (e.g. throwaway culture, consumer responsibility, energy transitions).

Video & Downloads

Welcome by Barbara Segaert
project coordinator Europe and Solidarity at UCSIA, University of Antwerp

Introduction by Divin-Luc Bikubanya

MINERAL SUPPLY CHAINS: REGULATION, RISK, RESPONSIBILITY

Presentation by Prof. Sara Geenen, chairwoman of USOS; Institute of Development Policy (IOB), University of Antwerp and Centre d’Expertise en Gestion Minière (CEGEMI), Université Catholique de Bukavu

What do today’s mineral supply chains look like? What is (and who defines) supply chain risk? How should mineral supply chains be regulated (and who decides)? And is responsible sourcing a contradiction in terms?

Mineral Supply Chains - Sarah Geenen

EMPOWERING SMALL-SCALE PRODUCERS TO PARTICIPATE IN MINERAL SUPPLY CHAIN REGULATION: RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATION

Presentation by Dr. Sarah Katz-Lavigne, post-doctoral researcher, IOB, University of Antwerp and CEGEMI, Université Catholique de Bukavu

What does it mean to ensure the meaningful participation of communities and small-scale producers in decision-making around supply-chain?

Empowering Small-Scale Producers to Participate in Mineral Supply Chain Regulation - Sarah Katz-Lavigne

IDENTIFY WAYS IN WHICH SMEs CAN IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE PROCESS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DUE DILIGENCE

Presentation by Dr. Boris Verbrugge, research expert at HIVA (Research Institute for Work and Society), KU Leuven

How and why do SMEs engage in efforts to address human rights risks? What are the barriers and opportunities that SMEs face when attempting to assess and address human rights risks more systematically by carrying out human rights due diligence?

SMEs & Effective Process of Human Rights Due Diligence

ARTISANAL AND INDUSTRIAL COBALT MINING IN THE DRC

Presentation by Prof. Bossissi Nkuba, post-doctoral researcher, University of Antwerp and CEGEMI, Université Catholique de Bukavu

How are transnational environmental regulatory frameworks put into practice at the local level? In the face of global environmental challenges, how can cobalt mining in DRC be a catalyst for a just transition?

Artisanal and Industrial Cobalt Mining in the DRC - Bossissi Nkuba

EUROPEAN CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY DUE DILIGENCE DIRECTIVE AND SOCIAL ECONOMY ACTION PLAN

Presentation by Miguel Toledano Lanza, political attaché at European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), European Parliament. Legal and economic advisor in various environments: Employment and Social Affairs, Culture and Education

How do European policies relate to the supply of natural resources more generally? Linked to this, how can we understand the role of social economy organizations as promoted by the European Social Economy Action Plan?

Artisanal and Industrial Cobalt Mining in the DRC - Bossissi Nkuba

Panel debate

Moderator: Katrien Vanderschoot, journalist at VRT NWS’s foreign affairs section, specializing in Africa

Discussions:

Challenges posed by the demand for minerals in the Global South
EU and companies’ responsibility in relation to minerals supply chains
‘Best practices’ or regulations for the governance of South (Extraction) – North (Consumption) of conflict minerals

Panel:

Barbara Cooreman (Responsible sourcing): A representative of UMICORE, a Belgian circular materials technology company
Guiseppe Cioffo, Corporate Regulation and Extractives Officer of CIDSE, Brussels
Prof. Gamze Erdem Turkelli, Law and Development Research Group, University of Antwerp
Cecilia Mattea, Clean Vehicles Officer at Transport and Environment (T&E), Brussels.

GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLAN: 2019-2023

Final presentation by Guillermo Otano, advocacy officer at ALBOAN and coordinator of the Justice in Mining Network, a Global Ignatian Advocacy Network

How to promote strong business regulations and corporate accountability in the supply chains of minerals? How does this debate contribute to this? What are the possible future perspectives for moving the agenda forward?

Global Strategic Plan 2019-2023 - Guillermo Otano

Podcast

Based on the conference, students of the Institute of Development Policy (IOB) created a series of podcasts. You can listen to the podcasts through the links below.

Human Rights Abuses in the Global Supply Chain
Bridget Thielens Lomo

Global Organization of Production
Moira Cornejo Zambrana

The Role of Consumer in Mining
Tewodros Mersha

Social Justice in the Mineral Supply Chains
Balolage Gloire & Justin Nonvignon Dossou

Social Justice and Mining Conference
Camila Salazar Nunez & Rebeca Lara Benavides

Mining Value Chain: a more radical perspective
Chau Ngoc San Nguyen

Reflections on EU Due Deligence Directive on Mining
Gurmessa Kenea Umeta

Feedback and summary of Social Justice and Mining
Vera Tjandrawinata

Due Diligence and Accountability in Mining
Mohammed Toyib & Ousmane Alpha Diallo

Labor Issues that Occur in the Ethical Supply Chain in Mining
Yahui Chang

Social Justice and Mining
Inès Martin

Reflection on Social Justice and Mining
Kevin Vega