With the rapidly growing demand for critical minerals, USAID recognized the unique opportunity to drive impact through partnerships with actors in the mining sector. Our team was brought in to help strengthen the agency’s engagement approaches and fill a critical knowledge gap on private sector dynamics and ESG standards.
Our focus was on developing strategies that ensured future partnerships were built to 1) meet the evolving needs of the extractive sector and their communities and 2) leverage the strategic role that USAID and related agencies could play. Some highlights from our engagement include:
- Redefining USAID’s unique value to the mining sector, based on stakeholder engagement and analysis of private sector needs and opportunities
- Developing user-friendly, practical guidance outlining core principles of engaging companies responsibly, sector-specific risks and mitigation strategies, and alternative engagement models
- Piloting guidance through stakeholder engagement with US Government Agencies leading on issues of critical minerals
- Briefing senior leaders in the agency’s Critical Minerals Working Group on strategic opportunities