From local priorities to global responses: Assessing sustainability initiatives in South American lithium mining

Abstract

Mining sustainability initiatives led by stakeholders from mineral-demanding countries have proliferated, encompassing regulations, voluntary standards, and guidelines aimed at ensuring responsible mining across supply chains. Focusing on lithium in South America, this article examines whether these initiatives address the main sustainability challenges posed by the mining industry and identifies their limitations. We analyze three initiatives relevant for that region: the European Batteries Regulation, the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, and the Recommendations for Responsible Lithium Mining by German automotive stakeholders. Sustainability challenges were identified and prioritized through a Delphi survey involving 141 participants. Our findings indicate that while most environmental and social sustainability issues are addressed by these initiatives, economic concerns, particularly those related to development, are often overlooked. The initiatives vary in their comprehensiveness, with IRMA being the most thorough. The study reveals that the approaches and procedures of these initiatives mainly reflect the priorities of lithium-demanding regions and adopt a corporate-centered due diligence approach, limiting their effectiveness in addressing some of the prioritized challenges. Finally, the study emphasizes the need for capability-development mechanisms to enhance the ability of lithium-rich countries to meet higher sustainability standards.