FORESIGHT & INSIGHT

Conflict Minerals and the Future of Mining

Client

International Institute for Sustainable Development

Scope of Work

Research
Literature Review
3 Horizon Workshop
System Mapping
Report with Recommendations

The International Institute for Sustainable Development asked us to look at the Future of Mining. New “green” technologies, such as solar panels and different batteries, and the extraordinary rate of consumption of new technologies, like mobile phones, require many new materials that in turn demands the extraction of new minerals. Lithium, graphite, manganese, phosphate, cobalt, vanadium, and zinc are all in massive demand. Global mining projects are growing at a phenomenal rate. Only a very small portion of these mines are regulated.

Tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold are often referred to as “Conflict Minerals” because of war-torn and high-risk locations, corruption, violence and the damage their extraction causes in local communities.

The need to monitor and establish standards of the mining of such resouces as arsenic, bauxite, boron minerals, cadmium, copper, gallium, indium, molybdenum, lead, selenium, tellurium, and titanium dioxide is an urgent global challenge. It is essential if the world is going to move into a new age of true sustainability that steps be taken to establish safe mining practices around the world.

Canada is a world leader in mining. The potential to leverage our influence to create protocols, laws and policies to improve mining practices globally is a significant undertaking. KerrSmith put a futures lens to the problem and reported on a range of challenges and opportunities for the IISD to help formulate their global strategy.

About the International Institute for Sustainable Development

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an independent think tank championing sustainable solutions to 21st century problems. Their mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability.

The IISD addresses the root causes of some of the greatest challenges facing our planet today – ecological destruction, social exclusion, unfair laws and economic rules, and a changing climate. Through research, analysis and knowledge sharing, they identify and champion sustainable solutions that make a difference. They report on international negotiations, conduct rigorous research, and engage citizens, businesses and policy-makers on the shared goal of developing sustainably.

Established in 1990, IISD has offices in Canada, Switzerland and the United States, and their work impacts economies, communities, ecosystems and lives in nearly 100 countries.

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