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

The document examines how SADC member states can leverage their vast reserves of EV-related minerals and metals (EVMM) to move from raw material export to regional beneficiation. It highlights the need for a public-private EVMM working group and coalition to coordinate value chains, formalise artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), and implement a circular economy approach to mining waste. The brief emphasizes that a regional 'green deal' and the finalisation of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) are essential for a just transition to a low-carbon economy.

• Southern Africa possesses significant reserves of EV-related minerals and metals (EVMM), including lithium, graphite, vanadium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, fluorspar, rare earth elements, and platinum group metals (PGMs), but currently exports most of these as raw materials.
• The transition to a low-carbon future is expected to drive an exponential increase in demand for EVMMs, with projected jumps between 2015 and 2060 of 87,000% for EV batteries, 3,000% for solar cells and PVs, and 1,000% for wind power.
• To avoid the exploitation of weak governance and maximize economic gains, SADC member states should establish a public-private EVMM working group via the SADC Business Council and a supporting EVMM coalition potentially hosted by the Mandela Mining Precinct.
• The document argues for the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) to improve community ownership and livelihood dividends, noting that while ASM is labour-intensive, it is often plagued by poor health, safety, and environmental practices.
• A just mining transition in the SADC region requires an overarching regional policy, which could include a regional green deal, the adoption of a circular economy approach to mining, and updated legislation to redefine mining waste.
• The implementation of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and National Mining Visions (NMVs) has stalled in SADC, which is identified as a serious oversight given the importance of ethical sourcing for EV manufacturers.

APA

Cloete, D. (2020). SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policy-Insights-94-cloete.pdf

Chicago

Cloete, Deon. SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2020. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policy-Insights-94-cloete.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cloete |first1=Deon |title=SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=October 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policy-Insights-94-cloete.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cloete2020sadc, author = {Cloete, Deon}, title = {{SADC Futures of Mining: Implications of Large-Scale EV Adoption}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policy-Insights-94-cloete.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }