Globally, most developing countries’ economies are limping along despite their vast mineral resources. The mining industry is a key sustainable economic driver in several developing nations that trade with G20 members, and in these developing countries artisanal mining is often a lifeline for economically deprived people.
The unstable economic situation in developing countries such as Zimbabwe has forced many individuals into risky, poverty-driven artisanal mining activities. Zimbabwe has large reserves of critical minerals such as diamonds, chrome, antimony, uranium, lithium and platinum. According to some sources, Zimbabwe has the largest lithium deposits in Africa and is rated sixth in the world. Lithium is the new ‘gold’ in the automotive sector owing to its use in clean energy for technological innovation. This is in line with the G20’s call for ‘green industrialisation’.
The abundance of critical mineral resources has persuaded many people to earn a living from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Critical minerals such as lithium can thus help to create jobs, diversify economies and boost revenues. The extraction of lithium aligns well with G20 policy, which encourages the use of circular economy strategies to lessen reliance on the extraction of virgin minerals. However, there are concerns about genuinely protective, action-oriented strategies of accountability in the Zimbabwean mining sector, as well as the mechanisms to ensure responsive, inclusive and sustainable business activities in the sector. The ASM terrain is an especially bumpy one for vulnerable individuals such as children and women.
In order to reduce the risks of illicit trade, price volatility and geopolitical tension, G20 countries place a strong emphasis on diversified supply chains. To increase openness and coordination, the 2023 T20 India report suggested the creation of an International Critical Minerals Observatory, while the goal of the G20-endorsed OECD Due Diligence Guidance is to reduce conflicts and human rights violations associated with ASM. This is in line with the G20 principle of inclusive growth through mineral value chains. Yet China’s hegemony in refining poses a barrier to the vision of fair trade.
A comprehensive strategy
The Comprehensive Strategy for Promoting Sustainable and Responsive Artisanal Small-scale Mining of Critical Minerals in Zimbabwe is the implementation of the international Code for Risk Mitigation and Promotion of Fair Mineral Trade (CRAFT Code). The CRAFT Code is a progressive performance standard for mitigating risks and promoting fair mineral trade. It was developed in 2016 with initial support from the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals. It consists of five risk assessment and mitigation mechanisms: management; legitimacy; OECD Annex II risks; mitigatable risks; and aspirational improvements.
ASM in Zimbabwe is enveloped by hostile economic challenges precipitated by the high unemployment rate, poverty, corruption, mismanagement, unprecedented climate change and socio-economic sabotage. In 2022, Zimbabwe unveiled a lithium beneficiation policy that prohibited exportation of raw lithium in an attempt to create value addition. Zimbabwe’s efforts to formalise green artisanal mining mirrors the G20’s commitment to sustainable mineral value chains. G20 policy indirectly recommends the formalisation and integration of ASM into legal economies, the promotion of inclusive transitions and decent work. The effort to legalise ASM was introduced after the Zimbabwean government learnt that critical minerals are being smuggled out of the country through unscrupulous mineral trading methods. In this context, the CRAFT Code is an effective monitoring and evaluation tool that can be used to mitigate such risks and promote fair trade in critical minerals.
Recommendations
It is crucial to implement the CRAFT Code in the ASM sector. Such implementation should start with advocating for CRAFT policies, education, community empowerment and engagement when artisanal mining is being practised. Fair trade in critical minerals under the banner of the CRAFT Code is in line with the 2024 G20 Principles on Trade and Sustainable Development, which emphasise international collaboration, fair transitions and sovereign rights. This strategy includes the usual steps of risk assessment, risk mitigation, verification and reporting. To ensure fair trade, it is necessary to have authorised mobile mineral brokers who can buy minerals in artisanal mining areas. It is also important to have an international and national CRAFT code board that legitimises mining operations. This conforms with the recommendation by G20 members to fund capacity-building programmes for ASM governance.
Conclusion
Implementation of the CRAFT Code makes ASM more attractive as it promotes safety, ensures responsive mining and resource mobilisation and modernises the mining industry. It is thus crucial that governments and organisations implement CRAFT Code policies to guarantee fair trade, sustainable extraction and economic gains while reducing negative effects on the environment and society. This can help G20 countries promote both regional and global collaboration in trading critical minerals such as lithium. The CRAFT Code is a valuable management tool that ensures the attainment of high-level fair standards, as its objective is to enable progressive improvement and shared responsibilities among miners and buyers.
Commentary
The comprehensive strategy for promoting sustainable and responsive artisanal small-scale mining of critical minerals in Zimbabwe
The unstable economic situation in developing countries such as Zimbabwe has forced many individuals into risky, poverty-driven artisanal mining activities.
Globally, most developing countries’ economies are limping along despite their vast mineral resources. The mining industry is a key sustainable economic driver in several developing nations that trade with G20 members, and in these developing countries artisanal mining is often a lifeline for economically deprived people.
The unstable economic situation in developing countries such as Zimbabwe has forced many individuals into risky, poverty-driven artisanal mining activities. Zimbabwe has large reserves of critical minerals such as diamonds, chrome, antimony, uranium, lithium and platinum. According to some sources, Zimbabwe has the largest lithium deposits in Africa and is rated sixth in the world. Lithium is the new ‘gold’ in the automotive sector owing to its use in clean energy for technological innovation. This is in line with the G20’s call for ‘green industrialisation’.
The abundance of critical mineral resources has persuaded many people to earn a living from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Critical minerals such as lithium can thus help to create jobs, diversify economies and boost revenues. The extraction of lithium aligns well with G20 policy, which encourages the use of circular economy strategies to lessen reliance on the extraction of virgin minerals. However, there are concerns about genuinely protective, action-oriented strategies of accountability in the Zimbabwean mining sector, as well as the mechanisms to ensure responsive, inclusive and sustainable business activities in the sector. The ASM terrain is an especially bumpy one for vulnerable individuals such as children and women.
In order to reduce the risks of illicit trade, price volatility and geopolitical tension, G20 countries place a strong emphasis on diversified supply chains. To increase openness and coordination, the 2023 T20 India report suggested the creation of an International Critical Minerals Observatory, while the goal of the G20-endorsed OECD Due Diligence Guidance is to reduce conflicts and human rights violations associated with ASM. This is in line with the G20 principle of inclusive growth through mineral value chains. Yet China’s hegemony in refining poses a barrier to the vision of fair trade.
A comprehensive strategy
The Comprehensive Strategy for Promoting Sustainable and Responsive Artisanal Small-scale Mining of Critical Minerals in Zimbabwe is the implementation of the international Code for Risk Mitigation and Promotion of Fair Mineral Trade (CRAFT Code). The CRAFT Code is a progressive performance standard for mitigating risks and promoting fair mineral trade. It was developed in 2016 with initial support from the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals. It consists of five risk assessment and mitigation mechanisms: management; legitimacy; OECD Annex II risks; mitigatable risks; and aspirational improvements.
ASM in Zimbabwe is enveloped by hostile economic challenges precipitated by the high unemployment rate, poverty, corruption, mismanagement, unprecedented climate change and socio-economic sabotage. In 2022, Zimbabwe unveiled a lithium beneficiation policy that prohibited exportation of raw lithium in an attempt to create value addition. Zimbabwe’s efforts to formalise green artisanal mining mirrors the G20’s commitment to sustainable mineral value chains. G20 policy indirectly recommends the formalisation and integration of ASM into legal economies, the promotion of inclusive transitions and decent work. The effort to legalise ASM was introduced after the Zimbabwean government learnt that critical minerals are being smuggled out of the country through unscrupulous mineral trading methods. In this context, the CRAFT Code is an effective monitoring and evaluation tool that can be used to mitigate such risks and promote fair trade in critical minerals.
Recommendations
It is crucial to implement the CRAFT Code in the ASM sector. Such implementation should start with advocating for CRAFT policies, education, community empowerment and engagement when artisanal mining is being practised. Fair trade in critical minerals under the banner of the CRAFT Code is in line with the 2024 G20 Principles on Trade and Sustainable Development, which emphasise international collaboration, fair transitions and sovereign rights. This strategy includes the usual steps of risk assessment, risk mitigation, verification and reporting. To ensure fair trade, it is necessary to have authorised mobile mineral brokers who can buy minerals in artisanal mining areas. It is also important to have an international and national CRAFT code board that legitimises mining operations. This conforms with the recommendation by G20 members to fund capacity-building programmes for ASM governance.
Conclusion
Implementation of the CRAFT Code makes ASM more attractive as it promotes safety, ensures responsive mining and resource mobilisation and modernises the mining industry. It is thus crucial that governments and organisations implement CRAFT Code policies to guarantee fair trade, sustainable extraction and economic gains while reducing negative effects on the environment and society. This can help G20 countries promote both regional and global collaboration in trading critical minerals such as lithium. The CRAFT Code is a valuable management tool that ensures the attainment of high-level fair standards, as its objective is to enable progressive improvement and shared responsibilities among miners and buyers.
6 May 2025
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