The rise of demand for critical minerals and, specifically, rare earths has accelerated the race for raw materials, and it reproduces the colonial patterns of land grabbing. Is urban mining an alternative to extractivism? We discuss these issues with Martín Lallana, researcher on Ecosocial Transition, Felix Best Agorvor, from recycling start-up 5 Seconds Connect Ghana, and Clàudia Bosch, from SETEM. Moderated by ODG's researcher, Júlia Martí. Organized with the Institute for Policy Studies. If you could not join the session, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/4ThUZPfuCyk

The Critical Minerals Observatory is a new initiative from the European Network of Corporate Observatory (ENCO); a knowledge hub (critical space) to exchange ideas, resources and develop collaborative research. This Observatory looks at the strategies of transnational corporations and governments (in the Global North) to secure supplies of critical minerals in the name of the energy transition. The launch of the Observatory will take place during the Raw Materials Week, to expose the necessity to monitor the implementation of the CRMA and its negative impacts on communities and the environment. During the presentation, we will discuss  the corporate impunity of one of the largest mining companies worldwide: Rio Tinto. We will hear the voices of affected communities in Madagascar and Serbia. The invited speakers are: Zo Randriamaro, the founder and Coordinator of the Research and Support Center for Development Alternatives – Indian Ocean (CRAAD-OI),  based in Madagascar. Jovan Rajik (Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute, Serbia) Steven Rolf, researcher at the (De)Globalization (MDG) research team at the University of Sussex and King’s College London Moderation by Olivier Petitjean (Observatoire des Multinationales, ENCO)   Previous registration required at the following link.