Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique, holds one of the world’s largest graphite reserves, located in the district of Balama. This mineral, essential for producing lithium batteries used in electric vehicles, has attracted the attention of major multinational companies, especially amid the growing global demand for electric cars.
Syrah Resources, an Australian multinational, is one of the key players in the exploitation of this resource, with contracts established with automotive industry giants such as Tesla and Lucid Motors.
Although Balama’s graphite plays a strategic role in these companies’ production chains, local communities living in the areas affected by mining continue to face precarious living conditions, with little substantial benefit from the wealth generated. This reality raises critical questions about the social and economic impact of mineral extraction, particularly in a region already burdened by conflicts and socio-economic challenges.
This paper aims to analyze, through the lens of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Busi- ness and Human Rights (UNGPs), the role of Balama’s graphite in the global automotive industry, the international contracts involving major companies, and the implications for local communities, emphasizing the urgent need for more inclusive and sustainable development policies.
https://cddmoz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Graphite-rights-and-responsibility-bridging-the-gap-between-business-and-communities.pdf
https://moz24h.co.mz/business-and-human-rights-in-cabo-delgado/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
