In the global fight for “responsible” mining

A little-known but far-reaching debate over who should set the rules of the road for mining minerals and metals from electric vehicle batteries is reaching the international stage.

A trade association made up of the world's largest mining companies – including BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore and Rio Tinto – attended high-profile events to explain and accept comments on a newly released draft consolidated standard that, while voluntary, is could well be possible The day set the bar for how companies want to operate, producing, refining, smelting and recycling critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel.

The push for these environmental and human rights protections – even if they are voluntary – is fueled by the hunger for minerals in developed countries like the US, which hope to compete with China; Manufacturers of electric vehicles, electronics and renewable energy promote their wares; and mineral-rich countries seeking to explore and develop their resources while meeting high environmental, social and governance standards.

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and other industry groups are traveling to the two-week COP16 biodiversity talks in Cali, Colombia, to promote the standard.