OPINION
The Future for Sustainable Mining in Africa Lies in Circular Thinking
Author: Mark Venables, Consultant at African Mining Indaba
M
ining and the circular economy are not phrases that traditionally fit in the same sentence but in a decarbonised world more minerals and metals will be required, not less. Mining is not typically associated with visions of a circular economy. But if the world is to transition to a low-carbon future, more minerals and metals will be required, not less. This shift will require vast volumes of copper, lithium, cobalt, platinum, chrome, and manganese. The circular economy (CE) is not a new concept, but it has been growing in importance, recently promoted by influential organisations such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Economic Forum. In our current economy, we take materials from the Earth, make products from them, and eventually throw them away as waste – the process is linear. In a circular economy, by contrast, we stop waste being produced in the first place. The circular economy is based on three principles, driven by design. First eliminate waste and pollution, then circulate products and materials at 14
May-June issue l 2022
their highest value and finally regenerate nature. It is underpinned by a transition to renewable energy and materials. A circular economy decouples economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. It is a resilient system that is good for business, people, and the environment. Africa is endowed with abundant mineral resources, including gold, silver, copper, uranium, cobalt, and many other metals which are key inputs to manufacturing processes around the world. However, extracting those precious resources from the ground comes at an environmental cost that is increasingly coming under scrutiny and that is where circular thinking can play a huge part. The benefits of a circular economy The African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) is a government-led coalition of African nations with a mission to spur Africa’s transformation into a circular economy that delivers economic growth, jobs, and positive
environmental outcomes. By adopting CE principles, Africa’s mining industry can seize opportunities to reduce costs whilst also mitigating risks associated with shifting consumer and investor preferences, and new regulations and standards. According to the report ‘Increasing Circularity in Africa’s Mining Sector’ produced by the ACEA, given the economic contribution of mining to African countries, CE would significantly contribute to creating a sustainable mining industry. For countries that depend on mining as the primary economic activity, it contributes considerably to their foreign earnings. For example, Botswana mining has accounted for roughly 85 per cent of national foreign exchange earnings, 33 per cent of government revenue, and 25 per cent of GDP for the past four decades. Given the economic contribution of mining to African countries, the mining industry has a critical role to play in supporting the transition to a circular economy. As we move along the energy transition www.africasurveyorsonline.com
