The large-scale adoption of electrical vehicles (EVs) is both an opportunity and threat if SADC member states do not act proactively to adjust to the future of mining. Southern Africa has some of the largest reserves of EV-related minerals and metals (EVMM), but exports most of these raw materials. The development of e-mobility in Southern Africa depends on the regional mining sector’s establishing an EVMM industry. The same goes for harnessing the full potential of its rich EVMM deposits. Doing this requires careful navigation of a complex terrain of overlapping and divergent jurisdictions and priorities. This calls for the creation of a public–private EVMM working group through the SADC Business Council to help bridge and guide co-developed responses with business, governments and other stakeholders. Supported by a regional EVMM coalition potentially hosted by the Mandela Mining Precinct – a public–private collaboration between the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Minerals Council of South Africa focused on revitalising mining research, development and innovation – it would offer a strong knowledge partnership to the EVMM working group. In addition, it is important that SADC and its member states finalise the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), as well as their national mining visions (NMVs). These are important mineral supply justice frameworks that could guide the coordination of transnational agreements on EVMM mining. Mining community ownership and livelihood dividends in the SADC region could be enhanced by diversifying the EVMM supply chain. The importance of the EVMM mining sector, specifically the interlinkages of low-carbon minerals and metals with global and regional climate change policies, is also highlighted. The policy insight concludes that an overarching regional policy to achieve a just mining transition is crucial. This could include a regional green deal, a circular economy approach to mining, and updated legislation to re-imagine the role of mining waste.
