ASEAN-IGF Minerals Cooperation has conducted a scoping study on critical minerals supply chains in ASEAN. The study aims to identify the challenges and opportunities in the region's mineral supply chains and provide recommendations for improving their sustainability. The study found that ASEAN has significant potential to become a major supplier of critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. However, the region also faces challenges in terms of supply security, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. The study recommends that ASEAN member states work together to develop a coordinated approach to mineral resource management, including the establishment of a regional minerals strategy and the promotion of sustainable mining practices. The study also highlights the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society in addressing the challenges facing the region's mineral supply chains.
