As the world accelerates its push towards a clean energy future, Latin America has emerged as a key player in global mineral supply chains critical to low-carbon technologies. The region is home to vast reserves of minerals like lithium, copper, and nickel, the building blocks of batteries, renewable energy technologies and electrification. Today, Latin America supplies 35% of the world’s lithium and 40% of its copper, making it a key partner in the energy transition.
This strategic importance was front and center at the recent 2025 OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, where over 100 representatives from governments, businesses, civil society, and academia convened for the "Perspectives from Latin America" session to discuss the future of responsible mining in the region. Notably, the session included live connections to hubs in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, with the support of the National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct, national mining associations, and other multistakeholder organisations, ensuring that voices from across the region were heard in real time.
Organised by the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct as part of the Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBC-LAC) Project, this session provided a unique platform to address the challenges and opportunities facing Latin American mineral producers as they work to align with global sustainability goals.
Key takeaways from the session
1. Unlocking Sustainable Growth in Latin America's Mineral Sector
Latin America’s mineral wealth presents both a significant opportunity and some serious challenges. As global demand for critical minerals grows, so do the environmental and social pressures associated with extraction. During the session, Mauricio Cabrera, Colombia’s Vice-Minister of Environment and Environmental Standardisation, emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional capacities and regulatory frameworks, ensuring a fair distribution of mining revenues, and protecting vital ecosystems like the Amazon. He also outlined Colombia's efforts to promote international cooperation on traceability, due diligence, and accountability in the minerals sector, highlighting the potential benefits of a binding framework to strengthen global standards.
2. The need for inclusive governance
Participants highlighted that a more inclusive approach to governance is essential. This means not only involving governments and businesses but also giving a voice to civil society, Indigenous communities, and small-scale miners. The local hubs in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru highlighted the importance of taking an inclusive approach to due diligence and traceability, particularly with regard to artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) to ensure that no one in the supply chain is left behind, even those with less market power.
3. Technology and transparency as enablers
The Forum underscored the importance of improving traceability and transparency in mineral supply chains. Reliable data is essential for informed decision-making and for building trust among stakeholders. However, this requires investments in digital infrastructure and a commitment to transparency at every level of the supply chain.
Conclusions and next steps
The session highlighted that achieving goals like sustainable development, promoting inclusive governance, and enhancing transparency will depend on aligning mineral supply chains with international standards like the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector, and the recently released Handbook on Environmental Due Diligence in Mineral Supply Chains.
These standards provide a comprehensive framework for managing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of extraction and a basis for promoting domestic revenue mobilisation, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and strong institutional capacity. They also emphasise the importance of transparency and data-driven decision-making, which are essential for building trust and reducing risks across supply chains.
Looking ahead, the OECD and its partners in the RBC-LAC Project will focus on:
- Capacity building: Equipping local actors with the skills needed to implement responsible business practices.
- Sector-specific tools and resources: Developing tailored tools for the mining sector.
- Local collaboration: Working closely with governments, businesses, and civil society to promote transparency and accountability.
These efforts aim to ensure that Latin America remains a key player in the global clean energy transition and other strategic mineral uses, while supporting sustainable and responsible mineral supply chains.
