On Wednesday 11 September 2024, a panel set up by the UN Secretary General released the first-ever set of global principles to guide the extraction of minerals (such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements) that are key to manufacturing technologies needed in the energy transition – from batteries, to wind and solar projects and electrification infrastructures.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) has been recording evidence of severe human rights abuses in transition minerals mining for over a decade and commends the ambition of the principles to work towards a “new paradigm rooted in equity and justice” - it has never been more urgent.

Caroline Avan, Head of Natural Resources and Just Transition, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, said: “There is no doubt that climate change is the biggest threat to human rights – but responding to it cannot come at the expense of the world’s most vulnerable. Centring respect for human rights and the environment in transition mineral mining is an absolute requirement.

“Global civil society had made it clear: the current realities of transition minerals mining operations are not acceptable. While the historical responsibilities of the mining industry should have been more explicitly acknowledged by the Panel, BHRRC is heartened to see clear recognition of the risks of human rights harms – particularly to Indigenous Peoples’ rights, posed by the unprecedented acceleration in mining for transition minerals, and the need to reduce pressure to extract.

“The Panel makes a clear call to protect civic space and human rights defenders – we could not agree more. For too long the extractive sector has been the most dangerous sector for defenders who have been judicially harassed, silenced, and even killed.

“‘Justice requires change’ states the Panel – and it does. Bolder actions by governments are needed to make the aspirational vision of the principles a tangible reality for communities and Indigenous Peoples who are affected by mining operations. Enshrining them in national legislation will be key to decisively move away from the past abuses of the industry. We call on governments not to shy away from their responsibility to protect human rights – and we remind the private sector they have a responsibility to respect human rights, regardless of national regulations. They must also do more to ensure benefits are truly shared with local communities – and depart from business-as-usual approaches.

“Closing the gap on corporate accountability in the sector cannot happen without full consideration of the views of rightsholders. The multistakeholder expert process set up by the Panel must ensure it hears the diversity of voices in civil society. We look forward to working with everyone involved in the process – towards concrete changes in the lived experience of mining-affected communities and remedies for those who have been harmed.”

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Notes to editors

• Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) is an international NGO that tracks the human rights impacts of companies across the globe.
• BHRRC’s Transition Minerals Tracker documents human rights implications of mining for key minerals (copper, cobalt, bauxite, manganese, nickel, lithium and zinc) for the transition to a net-zero carbon economy. It records 630 allegations of human rights abuses, with 30% of attacks against defenders globally related to the extractive sector, including mining.
• The UNSG-led panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals was announced in April 2024 and has worked over the summer to deliver these principles. The panel was composed of government representatives, industry representatives and non-state actors, including two civil society representatives.
• Civil society recommendations: More than 300 civil society groups outlined common demands in a public letter in June 2024.
• From mining to renewable energy: In August 2024, a BHRRC report looked at lessons learnt from benefit sharing legislation for a just transition in six countries in Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Media contact: Priyanka Mogul, Senior Communications Officer (Media/PR), Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, mogul@business-humanrights.org