SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption

This research paper outlines strategies for Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to integrate into the global electrical vehicle-related minerals and metals (EVMM) value chain through regional collaboration, policy alignment, and a shift toward circular economy principles in mining waste management.

• To successfully enter the global electrical vehicle-related minerals and metals (EVMM) value chain, SADC member states must shift their definition of 'local' in local content mining to be inclusive of the entire region, as regional collaboration is essential for stakeholder benefit.
• The paper recommends establishing a public-private EVMM working group via the SADC Business Council, supported by the SADC Secretariat and member states, alongside a regional EVMM coalition led by knowledge partners like the Mandela Mining Precinct to ensure a sustainable regional supply chain.
• SADC member states can advance regional collaboration by ratifying the SADC Industrial Development Policy Framework and Action Plan and adopting the Industry Protocol of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap.
• To promote decent jobs and green recovery, SADC member states should diversify mineral supply chains to include both large-scale enterprises and artisanal/small-scale mining to improve community ownership and livelihood dividends.
• The African Mining Vision (AMV) from the AU and UNECA is identified as the essential continental policy framework; the regional EVMM working group should advocate for the finalisation of the AMV's regional vision to guide national mining visions.
• The mining sector in SADC requires a transition toward a circular economy approach to waste management, guided by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, to overcome narrow government definitions of 'waste' and mitigate socio-ecological disadvantages.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption. https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-futures-of-mining-implications-of-large-scale-ev-adoption/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-futures-of-mining-implications-of-large-scale-ev-adoption/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption |date=2 November 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-futures-of-mining-implications-of-large-scale-ev-adoption/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020sadc, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/sadc-futures-of-mining-implications-of-large-scale-ev-adoption/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }