The Joe Biden administration told Africa’s leading mining executives and officials this week that they are poised to play a key role in the clean-energy revolution, but only if African officials clean up corruption and other problems in the sector. In a 10 May keynote address to South Africa’s Mining Indaba – the world’s largest mining investment conference – Jose Fernandez, the under-secretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, laid out his government’s energy policy priorities. These include a “just and inclusive clean energy transition”; the creation of “robust, sustainable, and transparent supply chains for critical minerals”; and the promotion of transparent financial and regulatory environments and natural resources management. The overall goal of these three priorities was to strengthen global capacity and support job creation, noted Fernandez. “It’s about working with our allies and partners on building economic growth that is beneficial, sustainable and inclusive over the long term.” Fernandez added that US President Joe Biden last year signed an executive order to strengthen US’s supply chains, including those in the minerals sector. The aim is for the US to secure the minerals necessary to bolster its clean energy economy.
SOURCE: MINING WEEKLY | THE AFRICA REPORT