Responsible mining contributes to economic development in Latin America

Context

The energy transition requires minerals such as lithium and copper to produce and store renewable energy. Since many of these minerals are abundant in Latin America, mining can contribute to economic growth and development in the region. At the same time, mining can also have negative social and ecological impacts.

Therefore, countries have to implement environmental laws and set up a supervisory authority. It is also essential to increase tax transparency, improve revenue management, minimise social conflicts in mining regions and involve local stakeholders in decision-making.

Objective

Minerals in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are mined on the basis of a just transition, ensuring that economic change is equitable at a social and ecological level.

Approach

The project works with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in advising mineral producing countries to:

• Develop linkages between the mining sector and local economies that promote technology transfer,
• Optimize fiscal systems to generate tax revenues and support civil society to monitor that revenues are spent efficiently to promote development in mining regions,
• Implement trainings for environmental authorities to regulate and oversee the mining sector,
• Promote participatory processes that integrate gender equity and indigenous representation, and
• Develop training programs to foster skills for future mine workers and suppliers.

The project supports the exchange of best practices amongst mineral producing countries. It also implements pilot projects in mining regions to test new approaches. The lessons learned serve for the regional discussions.

Last update: February 2025