Focus area

The project focusses on Southern Africa’s role in the production and supply of minerals for the green transition. It studies the socio-political, economic and environmental dynamics around mineral extraction, processing and refining; and the national and transnational policy strategies and regulatory environments that are emerging around green transition minerals. The study covers four countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe and brings together scholars from multiple disciplines within the social sciences and humanities, as well as policy analyst and advocates.

Key objectives

The project aims to address key research and knowledge gaps and supporting public debates and policy-making initiatives in Southern Africa, and beyond across four research clusters covering artisanal and small-scale mining; revenue, equity and state services; productive linkages and the infrastructures of extraction; and regional and transnational contexts of regulation.

External funding

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Project Director: Richard Saunders, York University, Canada

Project Manager: Alex Caramento, York University, Canada

Collaborating Researcher: Patience Mususa, The Nordic Africa Institute

Researchers in the project:

Country Managers:

Japhace Poncian, Mkwawa University College of Education

Francine Iragi Mukotanyi, Catholic University of Bukavu

Lyman Mlambo, University of Zimbabwe

Marja Hinfelaar, Southern African Institute for Policy and Research

Co-applicant researchers:

Jesse Ovadia, University of Windsor

Wilma S. S. Nchito, University of Zambia

Tumai Murombo, University of Witwatersrand

Abel Alfred Kinyondo, University of Dar es Salaam

Janvier Kilosho Buraye, Catholic University of Bukavu

Chris Huggins, University of Ottawa

Collaborating Researchers:

Anna Zalik, York University

David Szablowski, York University

Devyn Remme, University of Bergen

Ben Radley, University of Bath

Kamala C. Kaghoma, Catholic University of Bukavu

Claude Kabemba, Southern Africa Resource Watch

Sara Geenen, University of Antwerp

Mutuso Dhliwayo, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association

Marie Rose Bashwira, Catholic University of Bukavu

Rene Loewenson, Training and Research Support Centre