Rethinking environment, social and governance (ESG) in critical minerals extraction in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The global expansion of critical minerals supply chains has intensified scrutiny of environment, social and governance (ESG) performance, transforming access to international markets from resource-based to compliance-based. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds strategic global importance as the world’s leading producer of cobalt and a major producer of copper; however, persistent institutional and governance constraints undermine its geological advantage. Using a narrative review approach, this study synthesises academic literature, policy documents and investigative reports to examine the ESG landscape of the DRC and assess whether current governance practices enable participation in regulated, high-value minerals markets. Findings reveal that while the DRC’s 2018 Mining Code expanded state participation and strengthened environmental and social obligations, enforcement remains weak, transparency is partial, and community consent mechanisms are procedural rather than rights-based. Comparative insights indicate that jurisdictions with legally protected environmental liabilities, continuous third-party monitoring, and enforceable community rights are better positioned to sustain market access and improve development outcomes. On this basis, the study develops an enhanced ESG governance framework for the DRC centred on four structural reforms: secured environmental liability, enforceable community rights, transparent fiscal accountability, and compliance-before-extraction sequencing. Without such reforms, the DRC risks remaining indispensable as a mineral producer while facing increasing constraints in accessing regulated, premium markets. With these, the DRC can be positioned as a compliant and competitive partner in global critical mineral value chains. These findings have implications for policies aimed at promoting the responsible and sustainable mining of critical minerals in Africa.