UN Drives Sustainable Development of Global Critical Mineral Sectors

Extracting critical minerals is the first step in a complex journey. Around the world, the United Nations works with governments to ensure that these high‑value resources generate quality employment, safeguard the environment, and benefit local communities—not just global supply chains.

Argentina: Putting Communities at the Centre of the Lithium Boom

Argentina sits on some of the world’s largest lithium reserves, making it a key supplier for the batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. The UN helps guarantee that local voices shape the development of these resources. It supports dialogue among governments, companies, workers and Indigenous communities to collaboratively address issues from environmental protection to inclusive economic opportunity.

In addition, the UN assists provinces in strengthening financial planning so that a larger share of lithium proceeds remains within local communities. It also backs initiatives that provide skills training and increaseбей women’s participation in the sector.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Turning Mineral Wealth into Economic Growth

The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces roughly 70 percent of the world’s cobalt—a critical component of most rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

The UN supports efforts to translate the country’s critical mineral wealth into broader economic development. This includes strengthening public policy, promoting responsible business conduct and empowering local enterprises to participate in the emerging battery and electric‑vehicle supply chains.

Indonesia: Getting More Value from Nickel

Indonesia is a major producer of nickel, a mineral essential for many electric‑vehicle batteries. Rather than relying primarily on raw material exports, the country is expanding higher‑value manufacturing domestically.

The UN helps Indonesia raise industrial production სპორტ standards, encourage cleaner manufacturing, and increase domestic value addition across critical‑mineral supply chains.

It also supports occupational safety and health improvements in mining, develops the green skills required for a transitioning economy, and facilitates South‑South cooperation to disseminate Indonesia’s sustainable mining experienceooka.

Kazakhstan: Making Mining Cleaner and More Accountable

Kazakhstan is enhancing governance of its critical mineral sector as global demand rises. The UN assists in aligning national frameworks with international standards, identifying risks linked to crime, corruption, and weak accountability, and strengthening oversight of critical‑mineral supply chains.

Support also focuses on mine safety and labor standards, promotes responsible business conduct in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and explores ways to recover valuable raw materials from electronic waste to reduce the need for new extraction.

Zambia: Mining New Local Jobs

Zambia’s abundant mineral resources can play a pivotal role in the clean‑energy transition. The UN supports mining that creates opportunities for workers, local businesses, and communities.

Efforts include developing a national mining‑skills strategy, preparing workers for jobs in mining and battery value chains, and helping small‑and‑medium‑sized enterprises join emerging electric‑vehicle supply chains.

The UN works with artisanal and small‑scale miners to enhance safety, strengthen environmental safeguards, and promote formalization. Local communities actively monitor mining’s environmental impacts alongside government, universities and mining companies, fostering trust around mining projects.

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