Unlocking Africa's Rare Earth Potential: Key for a Green Economy?

In partnership with DLA Piper

With China supplying 78% of the rare earth elements (REE) globally in recent years, the developing trade war between the US and the China has thrown the worldwide supply of rare earth minerals into question. As tech organisations continue to rely on rare earth minerals for constant refinement of products including mobile phones and rechargeable batteries, African markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Kenya have the opportunity to plug the gap and offer the greatest potential for rare earth production.

This opportunity, however, must be held in balance with the ongoing momentum for organisations to improve the mining industry’s performance on ESG and sustainability metrics. As the demand for technological products such as electric vehicles which require neodymium and praseodymium, or cobalt for mobile phones, rises at an ever-increasing rate, questions are being raised as to how mining companies and stakeholders can incorporate ESG principles to support public and private stakeholders.

Join Invest Africa in partnership with DLA Piper as we examine the potential that Africa’s rare earth industry has to offer international investors and how African production of these commodities can unlock green economic practices across the Continent and globally.

Key discussion points:

• How can mining companies plan to mitigate the impact of climate risk through rare earth mineral production?​

• What financing options are available to international investors looking at this sector?

• What opportunities do REEs offer “green” tech processes?

• How will the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) new Mining Principles impact the sector?​

• How can we ensure that rare earth mining communities are protected through the current crisis and beyond?

Confirmed Speakers