Earth Responsibility Score (ERS)’s Post

The European Union and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to launch a strategic partnership on developing sustainable land-based raw materials and battery value chains. The partnership will facilitate joint investments and collaborations in the sector to bolster the European raw materials industry and render the two economies more resilient to supply chain disruptions. The signing of the MoU on Thursday was also accompanied by the EU’s Green Deal chief, Maroš Šefčovič, who also signed the strategic partnership, saying that the bloc will be “attentive to the developments of deep sea mining in Norway and also around the world,” adding that more critical mineral mining is needed to fuel the green and digital transition. #mining #norway #eu #criticalminerals #rawmaterials

Yet another independent assessment of of responsible mining standards puts IRMA at the top.

ICYMI: Coinciding with Mining Indaba, an int'l coalition of environmental groups (Lead the Charge) released a report assessing third-party mineral sourcing assessment systems. The Business & Human Rights Resource Center did a write up of the report. #electricvehicles #energytransition #responsiblemining

Deep sea mining for extracting minerals from the ocean is a hot topic these days. The aim is to obtain minerals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt, all critical elements in #energytransition. As usual, Carbon Brief does a terrific job at explaining what are the implications of #deepseamining on #climatechange and marine #biodiversity. “The deep sea has emerged as a new mining frontier in the global race towards energy security, with countries vying to explore and exploit its reserves of metals, such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese. These minerals – critical to the energy transition – are held in the deep ocean’s nodules, hydrothermal vents and crusts, but the impacts of mining these deposits are still far from being fully understood. In 2021, the Pacific island state of Nauru triggered a legal process for countries to agree rules around mining the seabed, or – in their absence – allow commercial mining of the deep sea to begin by 2025. Since then, 31 countries have called for some form of a ban, moratorium or pause on deep sea mining in international waters until its impacts on the ocean, climate and biodiversity are properly investigated. Companies, such as BMW, Volvo and Renault, have joined this groundswell and are increasingly distancing themselves from deep-sea mining, along with banks such as Credit Suisse, ABN Amro and the European Investment Bank. At the same time, 20 countries already hold 30 exploration contracts in areas beyond national boundaries, while countries such as Norway have supported deep-sea mining in their domestic waters. As the International Seabed Authority meets in Kingston, Jamaica for another round of critical talks on deep-sea mining, Carbon Brief unpacks what mining could mean for climate change and biodiversity.” The article answers questions such as: ✅What is deep-sea mining? ✅What is the state of deep-sea mining around the world? ✅What does deep-sea mining mean for climate change? ✅How does it impact global marine biodiversity and coastal communities? https://lnkd.in/dgW7c549

Do Greenpeace belong at the #UN table after such overt demonstration or is their voice more necessary than ever to be heard before we start trawling the ocean floor for minerals? Should The Metals Company be compelled to pause its plans, or does that risk giving further licence to #fossilfuel firms to maintain their levels of production? Considering all the harm caused by mining and refining on the land, can we allow this to be repeated unseen on the abyssal plain? https://lnkd.in/ekik78Xi

Norway created its wealth through offshore oil extraction. Now, as we transition to new forms of energy, it’s looking to deep-sea mining for the minerals required. Oil under the ocean floor or minerals on the ocean floor. Same same… but different Everything we consume all comes from somewhere. That’s why improving sustainability starts with consuming less! #circulareconomy #sustainability #minerals https://lnkd.in/gTsTEE33

🌟 Exciting Insight into QMC's Journey and Impact on Mining in Mongolia! 🌟 Ever wondered about the dynamic landscape of mining in Mongolia and the role of consultancy services in navigating its challenges? Dive into this insightful interview with our CEO Dagva Myagmarsuren as he sheds light on the evolution of QMC's services and its pivotal role in shaping the mining sector. 🛠️ From Technical Expertise to Holistic Solutions: our CEO recounts QMC's inception in 2011, driven by the growing need for consultancy services amidst Mongolia's burgeoning mining industry. Initially focusing on technical studies, QMC swiftly adapted to address broader societal and environmental concerns, pioneering mine closure plans and influencing legislative changes. 🌍 Bridging Divides for Sustainable Development: Reflecting on the shifts in public perception towards mining, we emphasize QMC's commitment to fostering dialogue between stakeholders. Through engagement with regulators, communities, and industry giants like Oyu Tolgoi, QMC navigates complex issues, striving for mutually beneficial outcomes. 🔍 Charting the Future with Critical Minerals: Dagva Myagmarsuren, also head of the Critical Minerals Association, underscores the urgent need for Mongolia to capitalize on its vast mineral potential. With a spotlight on critical minerals and their strategic importance, he advocates for swift governmental action to seize international opportunities and ensure Mongolia's place in the global supply chain. 🚀 Seizing Opportunities, Shaping the Future: As Mongolia stands at the precipice of transformative change in its mining sector, QMC remains at the forefront, driving innovation and collaboration for sustainable development. Heartfelt thanks to GBR for preparing and posting this insightful interview, showcasing the vision and impact of QMC in shaping the future of mining in Mongolia and beyond! #Mining #Consultancy #Sustainability #MongoliaMining #CriticalMinerals #QMC #Leadership #Innovation #GBR

When you think about the government that gives Greenwashing its true ugly face, Norway’s government is most likely the first choice. The Norwegian Parliament this week greenlit seabed mining exploration in the country’s territorial waters, a decision that contravenes the advice of government scientists and is set to intensify the global fight over strip-mining biodiverse deep ocean ecosystems. The Jan. 9 determination makes Norway the first country to formally authorize seabed mining activities in its waters, potentially triggering a race to the bottom of the ocean as nations vie for strategic minerals such as cobalt and nickel that are used in EV batteries and other green technologies. The decision could add to the turmoil over a years-long effort by a United Nations-affiliated organization, of which Norway is an influential member, to write regulations for mining in international waters before allowing such mining to proceed. https://lnkd.in/dnYfz5Z2

"There are too many examples to name — examples of Canadian mining companies and government officials disregarding local concerns and backing extractive investment regardless of the risks. We have seen this in Chile, in Guatemala, in Mexico, and throughout South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, and parts of Asia. Even when Indigenous activists are murdered for opposing investment, Ottawa comes to the defence of the industry, such as the case of Mariano Abarca earlier this year. As Canada continues its efforts to exploit critical minerals at home and abroad, we will likely see similar conflicts erupting in the future, and we should expect the Canadian government to side unequivocally with the mining companies, justified by greenwashing, with the demands of the Indigenous people fighting for their homelands ignored." https://lnkd.in/dMpNbh3n

Environmental Risk, or Mitigation? Globe & Mail - Jeffrey Jones: Canadian federal g tightens rules for approving large mining deals involving critical minerals⚠️⛔️⛏️⚠️ Canada is making foreign investment in critical minerals more restrictive as the mining industry seeks capital to develop the raw materials that will be key to a low-carbon economy. 
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne approved Glencore PLC’s US$6.9-billion acquisition of Teck Resources Ltd.’s metallurgical coal-mining business on Thursday, attaching a series of conditions following a net-benefit review. Teck said the deal will free up billions of dollars to reward its shareholders and speed up development of its copper production. 
Along with the approval, Mr. Champagne imposed a stricter policy for net-benefit reviews of foreign takeovers of miners with sizable critical-minerals operations. Under the Investment Canada Act, the ministry conducts such an examination of economic, employment and industrial impact when a foreign player launches an bid of at least $1.3-billion in enterprise value for control of a Canadian entity.

As part of its multibillion-dollar critical minerals strategy, the government listed 31 minerals it deems as important to the transition to a low-carbon economy, such as copper, lithium, cobalt and molybdenum. Steel-making coal, such as that acquired by Swiss-based Glencore, is not on the list. 
Mr. Champagne said acquisitions of companies with large-scale operations in critical materials will now only pass a net-benefit test under “the most exceptional circumstances.” The move shows the level of importance the government places on protecting the sector, he said in a statement. 
On Friday, his colleague, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, said the government is confident that the more stringent provisions will not limit capital available to the industry. Instead, they will ensure the operations remain under Canadian control, he said. 
The directive will affect only companies with large-scale production, and not early-stage miners and explorers. Those can still seek foreign capital, he said at a news conference in Calgary, during which he discussed how Ottawa is prioritizing critical minerals. https://lnkd.in/gjain6hB