Critical Minerals and Land Use Governance Workshop in Zambia.

On 7 November 2024, the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), in collaboration with CCG, held a successful stakeholder dialogue meeting at the Grand Palace Hotel in Lusaka. The event, attended by 30 participants, focused on critical minerals and land use governance in Zambia as part of a joint research initiative. This initiative aims to address the opportunities and challenges in Zambia’s critical minerals sector, emphasizing land use governance, community rights, and environmental sustainability.

 

With the rising global demand for critical minerals, Zambia has a significant opportunity to leverage these resources for sustainable development. However, achieving this requires a balanced approach that protects land rights, ensures responsible extraction practices, and implements transparent governance frameworks.

The primary objectives of this meeting were to assess current land governance practices and their impacts on communities, ecosystems, and economic growth; identify strategies for equitable resource management that benefit communities and minimize social and environmental risks; and foster collaborative approaches among stakeholders to strengthen governance frameworks for sustainable mineral extraction and land use.

The event served as a platform for stakeholders to share insights, engage in interactive discussions, and identify key priorities for future research and policy-making. The research team will integrate the feedback received to refine their approach and continue promoting sustainable and equitable practices in Zambia’s critical minerals sector.

We extend our gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to continued collaboration as we work towards achieving sustainable development in Zambia.