SDSG’s core programs represent the foundation of our mission to promote equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.
From protecting Indigenous rights to ensuring responsible mineral governance, each program guides a set of projects addressing the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Explore how our work advances justice, sustainability, and good governance across sectors and regions.
Indigenous Rights
The land occupied by Indigenous Peoples contains much of the world’s untapped mineral wealth. The lack of recognition of rights and rush for minerals risks injustice and conflict.
Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements
SDSG is evaluating mining impacts on communities to ensure equitable benefits from the critical minerals boom powering the energy transition.
Renewable Energy and Environment
SDSG works with municipalities, states, and national governments in the United States and throughout the world to improve renewable energy policy design and implementation. We also generate best practice guidance on how to reduce the environmental impact of minerals and energy production.
Community Development in Natural Resource Extraction
Visit our library and other resources regarding development of communities and intersection with natural resource extraction
Mining Law and Governance
SDSG has been a leader in developing best practice legal and institutional guidance on how to govern the mining industry. This includes co-authoring the international Model Mine Development Agreement (MMDA), conducting assessments of countries’ mining policy frameworks, and analyzing the implications of voluntary corporate mining sector standards on the governance of the industry.
