Summary Document: Reinforcing EU-Africa cooperation on raw materials
supply within the context of the new EU Critical Raw Materials Act
International Raw Materials Observatory, Brussels
Purpose and Objective of Document
This document offers an overview of insights from an Expert roundtable on enhancing EU-Africa
cooperation regarding raw materials supply, within the framework of the new EU Critical Raw
Materials Act (CRMA). The discussion took place on November 14, 2023, and was hosted by theInternational Raw Materials Observatory.
The Expert roundtable served as a follow-up to the Responsible Sourcing and Traceability of Critical
Raw Materials (CRM) workshop, organised as a satellite event during the EU Raw Materials Week
2023. This workshop was jointly organised by the International Raw Materials Observatory, theInitiative on Forensic Geology at the International Union of Geological Sciences, and the European
Federation of Geologists. It convened a select group of invited experts to deliberate on strategies forstrengthening EU-Africa cooperation in the context of the European CRMA.
This document summarises the findings from the roundtable, conducted under the Chatham HouseRule.

Background Information
In her 2022 State of the Union Address, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced
the CRMA with the aim of securing the supply of essential materials. The CRMA was approved by theEU Parliament and endorsed by the EU Council in the last quarter of 2023. This legislation was designed
to enhance supply chain resilience and production capacity for materials critical to Europe's industrialand technological competitiveness. Notably, materials such as lithium, graphite and rare earths arefacing increased supply risks, which could potentially undermine goals related to battery
manufacturing, renewable energy systems, defence applications, and advanced electronics.
To address these risks, the CRMA adopts a multifaceted approach that includes policies to strengthen
domestic mining capabilities, promote recycling, provide funding for research and innovation, enforce
responsible external sourcing requirements, and engage in diplomatic efforts. This comprehensive
strategy aims to diversify reliable supply sources while maintaining ethical standards.

Page 1In this context, African countries present significant opportunities as external partners. The continent
possesses abundant mineral resources and currently accounts for over half of the world's productionof platinum, diamonds and cobalt. As Europe transitions its energy, transportation, and manufacturingsectors, the demand for these and other metals readily available in Africa is expected to increase
further. Furthermore, Africa's geological potential remains largely untapped, offering substantial
opportunities for the responsible exploration and development of new resources. By embracing

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sustainable and socially equitable models from the outset, there is room for innovative governanceapproaches. The European Union and its Member States can contribute to this responsible
development by transferring knowledge and technologies to its African partners, aligning with theirown high standards.

Summary of findings
Key discussions
The roundtable delved into critical aspects of responsible sourcing, addressing topics that included
the roles of investors and industry, the challenges encountered, and solutions that integrate modern
technology with crime-fighting methods.
Participants recognised the subjectivity inherent in defining responsible sourcing, with thecertification process often serving merely as a symbolic badge. Additionally, a significant obstacle
arises when attempting to implement responsible sourcing policies in African countries, primarily due
to weak institutional structures that foster corruption and low standards for the rule of law in many
countries.
Nonetheless, a unanimous consensus emerged among participants: responsible sourcing stands as thecornerstone for achieving equitable and sustainable resourcing of CRM, thereby driving Europe's
transition to green energy. The imperative is clear — establishing transparent, traceable, and ethicsbased practices across mineral value chains, spanning from exploration to the production ofintermediate and final products such as smartphones, wind turbines and electric vehicles.

Pathways for reinforcing EU-Africa cooperation on raw materials supply
The participants have put forward five potential pathways that, when combined, can establish
effective and enduring EU-Africa partnerships that strike a balance between economic development,
environmental stewardship, good governance and social equity:

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1. Establish joint working groups that bring together EU and African government agencies,
industry associations, and civil society organisations. These groups will collaborate on
responsible mining development, sustainability standards, and innovation priorities. Suchcross-stakeholder platforms can enhance mutual understanding and coordination.
2. Increase EU development funding and provide technical assistance for capacity-building
programmes focused on governance. These programmes should emphasise transparency inresource management, environmental monitoring, community engagement, and anticorruption measures. Strengthening the training of public sector oversight bodies and officials
in partner countries lays a more solid foundation.

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3. Extend preferential trade terms and simplify market access for CRM and intermediate
products produced in African countries that demonstrate robust social and environmental
protections. Encouraging good practices through trade policy can be highly effective.
4. Launch EU-Africa investment funds aimed at financing responsible mining projects. These
funds should prioritise proper Environmental, Social, and Governance risk management andsupport the development of upstream processing and refining capacity within the continent.
Facilitating sustainable partnerships within the private sector is essential.
5. Allocate funding for research collaboration through European innovation programmes,
specifically focusing on areas such as mining automation, electrification, waste valorisation,
recycled CRM, and responsible sourcing certification schemes. Collaborative innovation
endeavours to align the interests of both regions.
These pathways collectively contribute to the establishment of mutually beneficial EU-Africa
partnerships that address the complex challenges and opportunities in the field of CRM.
However, more emphasis may be needed on building processing and refining capacity within Africaitself, given the EU's constraints around skills, know-how, energy costs and existing infrastructure thatpose significant barriers to domestic processing capacity expansion. Responsible mining development
should prioritise downstream activities on the African continent.
Additionally, while EU development funding and assistance provides a foundation, far greater
investment is required for transformative change. Europe's Global Gateway strategy faces intensecompetition from Chinese and other external powers. Significant EU investment in African nations andpartnerships with allies can offer an alternative model supporting good governance.
Creating economic opportunities and improving education and training in African countries will help
level out the North-South divide and counteract economic migration to the North. Africa has thepotential to become a robust trading partner and not merely a source for raw materials.

Way forward
Collaboration between the EU and African countries presents a prospective win-win partnership byallowing bilateral access to Africa's mineral wealth, fostering good governance, and promoting local
value addition. To achieve this vision and uphold sustainability principles subscribed to by Africa andEurope, the CRMA offers channels to cement shared objectives, provided that cooperative visions
prevail over narrow selfish interests. Forging these partnerships involves the following key
stakeholders, each playing crucial roles in ensuring success and effectiveness:

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1. EU Institutions such as the European Commission, Parliament, and Council are central in
shaping policies, including those related to raw materials sourcing and international
partnerships.
2. African Governments are essential partners, setting policies, regulations and standards formineral extraction and trade within their countries.

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3. Industry and Trade Associations representing European and African businesses engaged in
raw materials contribute with expertise, advocate responsible practices and facilitate privatesector engagement.
4. Civil Society Organisations focused on environmental protection, human rights, andresponsible sourcing provide oversight, promote ethical practices and raise awareness aboutsocial and environmental concerns.
5. Academic and Research Institutions contribute to knowledge sharing, innovation andcapacity-building related to responsible sourcing and sustainable development.
6. Investors and Financial Institutions are essential for funding responsible mining projects andinfrastructure development.
7. International Development Agencies such as the World Bank and the African Development
Bank provide technical assistance, funding and capacity-building support for sustainable
development projects.
8. Intergovernmental Organisations such as the United Nations and the African Union provide
frameworks and support for regional cooperation and sustainable initiatives.

The path forward necessitates translating dialogues into actions. While agreements and working
groups raise awareness, concrete collaborative projects are imperative to actualise responsible
sourcing and sustainable development. The EU must expedite cooperation with African partners totackle raw materials gaps, especially given the narrow timeframe to secure supplies vital for theenergy transition.
Success rests on a broad base of stakeholders aligning interests and applying complementary
capabilities at each phase of the mining value chain: governments set the policies; miners operate
responsibly; civil society oversees practices; academia enhances knowledge; investors fund projects
and infrastructure; and multilateral agencies provide technical support. By coordinating efforts acrosssectors, a holistic enabling environment can emerge organically based on comparative advantages.
All parties must progress from theoretical concepts to tangible on-the-ground initiatives. Pilot projects
focused on transparency, ESG standards, infrastructure connectivity, innovative technologies, andlocal capacity building provide proof cases to inspire broader adoption.

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Collaborative action is the only way to activate the full potential of EU-Africa partnerships.

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