S. Africa urges G20 to end exploitative extraction of nation's mineral resources
(MENAFN) South Africa has called on the G20 to play a leading role in ending the exploitative extraction of Africa’s mineral resources and to support a more just and inclusive international system. The demand was made by Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, during the G20 Sherpa Meeting held in Sun City, North West Province.
Lamola warned that rising geopolitical tensions, growing economic protectionism, and climate-related disasters are placing unprecedented pressure on the global economy. He stressed the need for the G20 to embrace bold reforms of multilateral institutions and to promote meaningful inclusion for developing nations.
"This is not just economics; it is Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability – the theme of our Presidency," said Lamola.
He emphasized that the G20 must evolve into a platform that puts an end to resource extraction without fairness and instead fosters genuine collaboration and partnerships focused on sustainable development for all.
Lamola also reminded attendees that South Africa’s approach to global engagement is grounded in the values of its liberation struggle, pointing to the 1955 Freedom Charter’s declaration: “There shall be peace and friendship!”
“The Freedom Charter became the foundational document of our Constitution. It informs our constitutional and international outlook, it has a 70-year-old foundation; it will never change,” he said.
Highlighting a key contradiction, Lamola noted that Africa’s rich reserves of minerals crucial to the global green energy shift — such as platinum, vanadium, and fluorspar — are mostly exported in raw form. Meanwhile, African countries are forced to import finished products at high prices, resulting in limited local economic benefit.
He called for structural changes that would allow African nations to retain more value from their own natural resources and contribute more equally to the global economy.
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