The Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG) has announced its active participation in the Future Minerals Forum, a globally renowned event in the critical minerals sector that commenced today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Bringing together governments, international organizations, private-sector leaders, and stakeholders, the forum serves as a platform to shape the future of the global critical minerals industry.

With over 14,000 participants from 178 countries, the event is set to foster innovation and collaboration in advancing sustainable practices in critical minerals supply chains.

Veronica Bolton Smith, CEO of CMAG, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities the Future Minerals Forum presents for advancing CMAG’s objectives.

“I am looking forward to a productive trip to Riyadh for the Future Minerals Forum.
“CMAG’s mission is to ensure that African perspectives are put at the heart of vital discussions around critical minerals – and that is exactly what we will be doing at the Future Minerals Forum.”
Veronica Bolton Smith, CEO of CMAG

Bolton Smith is scheduled to chair a high-profile panel on Thursday, January 16. The discussion, titled “Making High-Risk, Minerals-Rich Jurisdictions Investable by Growing Supply Chain Transparency and Certification,” will focus on strategies to enhance the traceability and accountability of critical minerals supply chains.

This conversation gains particular relevance in light of recent developments, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government’s lawsuit against Apple over allegations of sourcing “blood minerals.”

The panel aims to explore how governments, businesses, and consumers can collectively work to improve traceability and ensure sustainable and ethical practices in critical minerals extraction and trade.

According to CMAG, strengthening traceability across global supply chains is not only crucial for improving sustainability but also vital for unlocking the full economic potential of Africa’s abundant critical mineral resources.

CMAG’s mission is to bridge this gap by fostering deeper relationships between Africa and global markets.

The organization aims to create resilient and diversified critical mineral supply chains that deliver tangible benefits to local communities and accelerate economic development by encouraging value-adding activities on the continent.

Unlocking Africa’s Potential in Critical Minerals

Africa holds a dominant position in the global critical minerals industry, supplying a significant share of the world’s cobalt, lithium, and other essential resources.

However, the full economic potential of these resources remains untapped due to systemic challenges, including governance issues, infrastructure deficits, and limited local value addition.

“We aim to play a leading role in fostering deeper, mutually beneficial relationships between key critical minerals stakeholders in the Gulf, Africa, and globally.”
Veronica Bolton Smith, CEO of CMAG

CMAG’s mission aligns with broader efforts to address these challenges, ensuring that African nations capture more value from their natural resources.

By advocating for fair trade practices, fostering local beneficiation, and driving investment in infrastructure, CMAG aims to position Africa as a leader in the global critical minerals market.

A key focus of CMAG’s participation in the forum is the need for greater transparency and certification in the critical minerals supply chain.

The ongoing legal challenges involving global corporations sourcing minerals from Africa underscore the urgency of addressing these issues.

The panel discussion chaired by Bolton Smith will highlight best practices in supply chain transparency, drawing on successful case studies and identifying opportunities to adopt technologies like blockchain to track minerals from extraction to market.

As the Future Minerals Forum unfolds in Riyadh, CMAG’s active participation underscores the importance of including African voices in global discussions about the future of critical minerals.

Through its advocacy and strategic initiatives, CMAG is working to ensure that Africa’s abundant resources translate into tangible benefits for its people while contributing to a more sustainable and ethical global minerals market.