FLSmidth’s Post

Kazakhstan continues its highly successful multi vector approach to global diplomacy. This policy clearly leads to increased global investment into Central Asia, including into vital infrastructure as well as closer cooperation in Agro Tech, Minerals & Mining, Green Energy and Bio tech.

Germanwatch e.V. has published our (with Mariya Lobacheva) Opinion Paper on the EU-Kazakhstan Memorandum on Critical Minerals (CM). The link to it in English is here- https://lnkd.in/eXbmDw_E. We will soon translate into Russian and post it on the NGO ECHO website. In a nutshell, critical minerals are the "new oil" (these are minerals like lithium, cobalt, copper, REM, etc., necessary for the energy transition). Various players have been actively entering CM's development in Kazakhstan by signing memorandums (MOUs): the most recent is from June 12, 2024, with South Korea; in March 2023 MOUs was signed with Great Britain, and discussions are underway with the USA, Germany, and France. Kazakhstan and the EU have initiated a Critical Raw Materials partnership in November 2022.  In this opinion paper, we have analyzed its text and traced how the partnership was set up from the citizens' participation point of view to ensure that it doesn't turn out like with oil contracts when the terms of PSAs are still closed for the public. We found out that there was no proper information sharing and a lack of transparency in its implementation, including from the European partners. We believe that transparency, public participation, and oversight are necessary if cooperation on raw materials should not only benefit the Global North but also the people of Kazakhstan. See details and recommendations in the paper. We will monitor all other MoUs on CM!

The Lobito Corridor project is a strategic infrastructure initiative expected to serve multiple geopolitical and economic purposes: Strategic competition with China: The project is a Western alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative in Africa. It aims to reduce Western dependence on China for critical minerals used in consumer goods and military technologies. Securing critical mineral supply chains: The corridor connects the copper-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to the Atlantic coast, facilitating the export of critical minerals to the United States and Europe. Promoting regional integration: The project aims to enhance continental integration, increase exports and regional trade, and boost economic growth and job creation across Africa. Multilateral cooperation: Unlike typical Belt and Road projects, the Lobito Corridor adopts a multilateral approach involving the United States, European Union, African Development Bank, and regional partners. Sustainable development: The project is presented as supporting sustainable and inclusive growth through investments in related sectors such as agriculture, energy, and education along the corridor. Geopolitical influence: The initiative demonstrates the United States and its allies' commitment to Africa and their willingness to invest in strategic infrastructure projects on the continent. NovaMines PR identified four criticisms challenging the strategic communication efforts to present the Lobito Corridor as a model for sustainable development and highlight the need for more effective messaging and tangible benefits for local communities. Neocolonial Narrative: The project is portrayed as a form of neocolonialism, with critics arguing that it closely resembles the colonial resource extraction model of the 19th century. This perception undermines the project's stated development goals. Extractive Nature: Despite claims of fostering development, the project is seen as primarily focused on the quick extraction and export of minerals rather than benefiting local communities. The nearly straight route from mines to the ocean reinforces this perception. Lack of Local Development: Critics argue that the project fails to demonstrate clear long-term strategies for local mineral processing or significant job creation in isolated areas. This challenges the narrative of sustainable development and local economic growth. Environmental and Human Rights Concerns: The project's association with mining activities raises concerns about potential environmental damage and human rights violations. This contradicts the stated high standards of sustainability and human rights. #LobitoProject #UnitedStates #EU #Angola #DRC #Zambia #Geopolitics #Resourcewar #Energytransition #Sustainability

CRITICAL MINERALS IN AFRICA The United States Institute of Peace convened a senior study group to explore the role #Africa plays in the United States’ efforts to diversify US #criticalmineral supply chains and how new investment in partnerships with African countries could help drive economic development and strengthen #peace and #security on the African continent. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time! 🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄:  //https://lnkd.in/eq8u3rFz 📅 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟬, 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 📌 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀, 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝘂𝗺

on #FOCAC: For FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) to truly benefit African countries, the African Union (AU) must play a more proactive and robust role. This involves aligning Beijing's latest funding announcements with key continental frameworks such as the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and the Africa Mining Vision (AMV). By doing so, Africa can ensure that external investments are channeled towards projects that support long-term, sustainable development goals outlined in Agenda 2063. Additionally, African nations need to be more assertive in negotiations, advocating for terms that benefit their economies and societies. Establishing and upholding high standards for infrastructure, labor, and environmental practices will be crucial in maximizing the benefits from FOCAC initiatives. This strategic approach will help Africa leverage international partnerships to foster growth, enhance connectivity, and improve the quality of life for its people.#focac

South Africa pledges to use its permanent seat in the G20 to push for an African agenda centered on minerals beneficiation in the continent and to encourage investment in critical minerals, road, and rail networks to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola also highlighted that Africa should move quickly to develop a solid critical mineral strategy if the continent was to benefit from its endowment. "Through the Africa Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA), we must build Africa's beneficial projects and manufacturing capabilities and have a unified voice on critical minerals as a continent. If there is one issue, all of us should be able to speak in one voice," he said. Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Department of International Relations and Cooperation https://lnkd.in/dPXkdzve

For the Global South, particularly Africa, non-alignment is not about neutrality but preserving autonomy and options in a fragmented global order, writes Gustavo de Carvalho. The Lobito Corridor initiative, connecting the Angolan Atlantic coast to the mining areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, is one example of how African countries can attract investments that serve their interests while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics. 📝Read more: https://bit.ly/4fPWHGI #GlobalSouth #geopolitics #LobitoCorridor

https://lnkd.in/eC2X8UeZ 'Africa in particular is being courted precisely because of its large voting number (54 countries can swing decisions at multilateral meetings) but more strategically, because it constitutes the reservoir of the world’s future economy. Apart from being blessed with a youthful demographic, Africa can come into central focus due to its unique endowment of green transition minerals like cobalt, lithium and nickel.'

Amidst pressing issues across the Americas, the upcoming 54th assembly of the Organization of American States remains critical. On May 21st, His Excellency Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States will join us for a special #InsightsAtMeridian event, where he will preview the upcoming assembly! Convening in Asunción, Paraguay, from June 26-28, 2024, under the theme of "Integration and Security for the Sustainable Development of the Region." This gathering assumes critical importance as the region navigates through various challenges, including escalating issues in Haiti, ESG challenges in the critical mineral mining sector, and a series of 11 national elections throughout the western hemisphere this year. Tune in to the event here: https://lnkd.in/eV7xhnaM #InsightsAtMeridian #DiplomaticExchange

South Africa pledges to use its permanent seat in the G20 to push for an African agenda centered on minerals beneficiation in the continent and to encourage investment in critical minerals, road, and rail networks to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola also highlighted that Africa should move quickly to develop a solid critical mineral strategy if the continent was to benefit from its endowment. "Through the Africa Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA), we must build Africa's beneficial projects and manufacturing capabilities and have a unified voice on critical minerals as a continent. If there is one issue, all of us should be able to speak in one voice," he said. Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Department of International Relations and Cooperation #aimc #qabulaholdings #eltraveltours