SUPPLY CHAIN
“ AS MUCH AS THERE IS AN INCREASE IN DEMAND , THERE IS ALSO INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR RESPONSIBLY PRODUCED MATERIALS ”
MICHÈLE BRÜLHART EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , COPPER MARK
Research from Goldman Sachs warns of a potential copper supply gap of 8.2Mt by 2030 , with demand expected to grow by 900 %. The cleantech industry ’ s need for copper , as well as other resources , means that investing in additional copper mining capacity that is as efficient and green as possible must become a matter of the utmost urgency .
“ A series of recent , high-profile investments have suggested a direction that the industry could take to deliver the required increase in supply ,” he said .
“ For example , Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos have been looking at cleaner and more efficient ways of extracting and processing raw materials . They have both backed KoBold Metals , which utilises AI in order to target high quality ore deposits that require less intrusive methods of extraction .”
Volkswagen Group joins IRMA The Volkswagen Group recently underlined its commitment to sustainable mining by joining the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance ( IRMA ) ahead of buying raw materials such as cobalt , lithium , nickel and graphite as part of its ambitious electrification strategy .
By joining IRMA , the Volkswagen Group commits itself to gradually applying the IRMA standards in its battery supply chains .
Murat Aksel , Member of the Board for Procurement at the Volkswagen Group , said : " Standards are all the more effective the more consistently they are defined and the more partners adhere to them . IRMA brings together all the important players ."
Aimee Boulanger , Executive Director of the Initiative for Responsible Mining ( IRMA ), welcomed the Volkswagen Group ’ s membership and looks forward to working with them as they leverage their significant global reach to advance more responsible mining practices . miningdigital . com 65