MinSus Project

The mining industry in the Andean countries has the potential for contributing to economic growth and social development as well as the environmental big push in pursuit of sustainable development, in line with the imperatives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In contrast to the positive aspects of the sector, it also presents widespread environmental damage, tremendous economic expenses, and social impacts, especially socio-environmental conflicts related to mining. Climate and environmental risks are pushing forward a global transition towards cleaner energy production and mobility, for which natural resources are needed. For the technological developments related with decarbonization, large quantities of minerals and metals will continue to be demanded, many of whom, such as lithium and copper, are widely present in the Andean countries, creating relevant challenges and opportunities for these countries. On the demand side, countries that are consumers of commodities are increasingly concerned regarding the development and certification of sustainable supply chains that respect human rights and the environment along the whole chain. Within this context, the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are articulated as a common language and viewpoint amongst all stakeholders involved in mining supply chains in order to progress towards innovative solutions for a sustainable mining.

For this reason the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned the project “Regional Cooperation for the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources in the Andean Region” (MinSus) with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) as regional counterpart. Apart from ECLAC, the executing agencies include the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).

Objective

The objective of the project is to provide support to the Andean countries in the establishment of conceptual and technical requirements for the alignment of their mining sector with the chosen Sustainable Development Goals.

The mining sector has great potential to foster the management of sustainable social development. The project lends guidance to the Andean countries in harnessing this potential and promotes measures for boosting regional cooperation between the Andean countries in the mining industry and increasing the contribution of the mining sector to the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda. Thus, challenges to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda should be recognized and overcome.

The project therefore aims to contribute to the fulfilment of the following SDGs:

Good Health and Well-being
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life on Land
Peace and Justice
Partnerships for the goals

Approach

The project is aimed at the promotion and implementation of international standards as well as the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals. As a UN organization, ECLAC takes on a central role in the strategic and conceptual design of the project and in the development of regional policies and strategies related to the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda, and the project is expected to have an impact at both the regional and national levels. Thus, possible solutions will be implemented and learning experiences from the partners exchanged regionally. The project is a fundamental part of the multi-stakeholder approach and is actively working together with actors from governmental institutions, the private sector and civil society organizations. The close cooperation between GIZ and BGR makes it possible to address pertinent issues of the mining industry in a comprehensive professional and development policy.

The project work is divided into three areas of activity:

(i) Policies and Strategies
(ii) Stakeholder Governance
(iii) the Transfer of Technology and Innovation. GIZ assumes leadership of areas (i) and (ii), while BGR takes on the responsibility for area of activity (iii)

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What is MinSus?

The “Regional Cooperation for a more Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources in the Andean Countries” project (MinSus) promotes responsible mining practices in the Andean region. It is part of the German Cooperation Programme with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).