The demand for minerals and metals will substantially increase in the coming decades to respond to the needs of the low carbon energy transition, infrastructure and digitalization. The extraction of metals and minerals grew threefold between 1970 and 2017, and on current trends will double again by 2060 (IRP 2019).

This rapid growth in the use of minerals and metals has increasing environmental and social impacts. It is important to minimize and address these impacts while ensuring sustainable, just and inclusive development, in particular for resource rich developing and least developed countries.

To achieve a responsible and sustainable minerals and metals sector, it is essential to create the necessary enabling conditions across the full lifecycle of minerals, including the engagement of all multilateral actors across the value chain.

Contact person: Charlotte Ndakorerwa, Program Management Officer, UNEP