Supplying the critical minerals that go into electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and other technologies underpinning the clean energy transition would require some USD 800 billion in investment in mining between now and 2040 in order to meet the 1.5°C goal under the Paris Agreement, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024. However, meeting that demand poses multiple social, economic, and environmental challenges for the mining industry.

The IEA’s 2024 Outlook highlights progress made by the mining industry on work safety, gender balance, community investment, and using renewable energy for mineral production, but cites the need for improvements with respect to reducing waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. It also notes that without “strong uptake” of recycling and reuse of critical minerals, mining capital requirements to meet the 1.5°C goal would need to be one-third higher.

With this in mind, the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) convened with a focus on the theme “Redefining Mining: Balancing the Need for Minerals with Protecting People and the Planet.” Convening in various sessions, the AGM considered important and relevant sub-themes, including:

• accelerating the production of critical minerals;
• the possible role of circularity in bridging the supply gap;
• putting people first;
• critical minerals and gender equality;
• navigating global mining standards;
• protecting nature amid the energy transition;
• non-metallic minerals for the energy transition; and
• transforming mining through disruptive technologies.

The IGF serves as a global platform for dialogue among its member governments, who hailfrom 85 countries, as well as other stakeholders from mining companies, industry associations, civil society, and non-governmental and international organizations. The IGF was launched in 2005 and its work has been framed since 2011 by its flagship policy guidance and assessment tool, the Mining Policy Framework, last updated in 2023. The Framework identifies good practices required for good environmental, social, and economic governance of the mining sector, and the generation and equitable sharing of benefits in a manner that will contribute to sustainable development.

IGF AGM-20 convened from 18-20 November 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin provided daily updates on the proceedings, as well as a comprehensive summary following the conclusion of the meeting.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Keith Ripley; Kate Harris; Noémie Laurens; and Daniela Morich. The Digital Editor was Mika Schröder, Ph.D. The Editor was Leila Mead.