Resources
25 August 2025
Partnerships for critical materials management
Global demand for critical minerals – key resources for the technology, energy, military and electronics industries – is growing rapidly. Against this backdrop, many mining countries, particularly in Africa, are facing macroeconomic, geopolitical and governance challenges.
In addition, there are many environmental and social concerns linked to the extraction and trade of mining resources.
To reconcile strategic sovereignty with global responsibility, the European Union has adopted the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM Act), which sets ambitious targets for diversification of supply and recycling, as well as sustainability and governance requirements.
In this context, Enabel is committed to promoting the development of sustainable and inclusive mining clusters, which are levers for responsible industrialisation, fostering decent employment and mutually beneficial partnerships.
The agency supports governments and their private partners in strengthening regulatory and institutional frameworks, monitoring investments and ensuring compliance with European and international ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards.
This approach helps to secure and diversify Europe’s supply chains, while maximising local economic and social benefits for the mining countries concerned.
This position paper formulates a set of recommendations to support the mining sector as a driver of economic growth and sustainable development.
