Why Indigenous Rights Matter
Local communities directly impacted by natural resource extraction or other large-scale investments experience significant social and environmental impacts related to these industries and often receive little or nothing in return. In the 1990s, just a handful of jurisdictions placed legal obligations on private companies or the government to promote local development around mine sites. Today over 50 countries/sub-national jurisdictions have regulations in force that target local development. SDSG helps governments, civil society organizations, international institutions, and mining industry associations to craft better local development policies. Learn more on our Community Development hub.
Key Publications
Impacts of the Green Minerals Boom on Indigenous Rights (2023)
Explores how critical mineral extraction impacts Indigenous communities and what policy safeguards are needed.
Indigenous Rights and the Green Energy Boom (2023)
A breakdown of challenges and legal frameworks surrounding Indigenous participation in the energy transition.
THE GREEN MINERALS BOOM: IMPACTS ON OUR COMMUNITIES, AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Calls for governments to uphold treaties and FPIC in mineral licensing and development processes.
Project Highlights
Path to Peace and Development
Focuses on peacebuilding and Indigenous empowerment in mining-affected regions.
Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Ecuador
Ecuador’s assessment evaluates the country's mining laws and policies against IGF’s framework across six key areas—laws, financial and socio-economic benefits, environmental management, artisanal mining, and post-mining transition—identifying both strengths and areas needing improvement
