Mineral raw materials enable the technologies and infrastructure that shape our lives. But their extraction should not come at the expense of the natural environment or people. Together with our partners, we ensure that raw materials are extracted responsibly, used efficiently and recycled consistently.
Sustainable mining
Minerals make modern technology possible, but their extraction often has a negative impact on the environment and people. New mining methods demonstrate how raw materials can be extracted responsibly.
Responsible mining
We support our partner countries in making mining more environmentally friendly and sustainable. We focus on:
- Optimising environmental management systems
- Establishing effective environmental assessments
- Equipping people in the relevant institutions with the necessary knowledge
Together with ministries, authorities and the population, we promote open decision-making processes, facilitate access to important environmental information and ensure that affected communities have a voice. We can thus prevent conflicts over pollution and land and water use, often in advance.
We support our partners in:
- Reducing emissions and pollution
- Protecting biodiversity
- Minimising the use of harmful chemicals such as mercury
- Dealing with contaminated sites
Our goal is to promote an extractive sector that protects the environment and human health while ensuring fair conditions locally.
Circular economy for critical raw materials
We are committed to the economical and sustainable use of raw materials. We work hand-in-hand with our partner countries to develop circular economy approaches in mining:
Recycling waste material
Using secondary raw materials
Recycling critical raw materials such as lithium and cobalt
Designing products with recycling in mind from the outset
Developing collection and recycling systems
Raw materials can thus be used for longer and recovered more easily. These measures play a key role in ensuring security of supply – both in Germany and in our partner countries. A well-functioning circular economy protects the environment while presenting new economic opportunities for people around the world.
A fresh start after mining
Mine closures do not have to mean regional decline. We support our partner countries with:
- Safe closure: soils are decontaminated and methane emissions are monitored and reduced.
- New perspectives: former mining sites are restored to their natural state and repurposed, for example as solar parks.
- Fair transitions: especially in the context of the coal phase-out, we support the transition so that no one is left behind.
- Clear legal situation: we support authorities in developing legal frameworks.
Together with our partners, we promote an extractive sector that respects people and the natural environment in equal measure.
Insights
This project focuses on the following GIZ work priorities:
The project contributes to these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations: