A little-known but far-reaching debate over who should write the rules of the road around digging up electric vehicle battery minerals and metals is hitting the international stage.
A trade association made up of the world’s largest mining companies — including BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore and Rio Tinto — has been hitting high-profile events to explain and take comment on a newly released draft consolidated standard that, while voluntary, could one day set the bar for how companies angling to produce, refine, smelt and recycle critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel operate.
The push for those environmental and human rights safeguards — even if discretionary — is fueled by a hunger for minerals among developed countries like the U.S. hoping to compete with China; EV, electronics and renewable energy manufacturers touting their wares; and mineral-rich countries eager to tap into and develop their resources while meeting high environmental, social and governance standards.
The International Council on Mining and Metals, or ICMM, and other industry groups are heading to the two-week COP16 biodiversity talks in Cali, Colombia, to promote the standard.
