The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is advancing a regional critical minerals strategy aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience and supporting sustainable economic growth, following a technical workshop in Singapore.
The Philippines’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said in a statement that regional delegates and technical experts met from September 1 to 4 to refine the strategy under Priority Economic Deliverable No. 6 of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship.
The workshop marked the final major consultative phase for the initiative, building on earlier meetings in Jakarta in March and June.
The event was jointly organised by the ASEAN Secretariat, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, the Asian Development Bank and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development.
The Philippines was represented by MGB Assistant Director Karlo L. Queaño and members of the technical working group, including officials from the bureau’s mineral economics, marine geological survey, lands geological survey, and policy and international affairs divisions.
Regional framework takes shape
The delegates validated key components of the proposed strategy, including the final versions of ASEAN critical minerals indicators and taxonomy, a proposed list of critical minerals, and a regional definition of critical minerals.
They also reviewed the strategic framework and policy recommendations for the ASEAN Critical Minerals Policy Brief and discussed the core elements of a proposed ASEAN Declaration on Critical Minerals Strategy, the MGB said.
Industry and civil society representatives provided operational perspectives on critical minerals to inform the discussions. Organisers also briefed stakeholders on the structure and process for assessing the proposed strategy.
The initiative seeks to position Southeast Asia as a secure, high-value hub in global critical minerals supply chains linked to the energy transition.
Recycling highlights mineral recovery potential
The workshop concluded with visits to recycling facilities operated by World Metal Group and SK Tes, where delegates observed the recovery of valuable materials from electronic waste and electric vehicle batteries.
The materials recovered include gold, silver, platinum, lithium carbonate and graphite, according to the MGB.
The site visits highlighted recycling and urban mining as potential sources of critical materials, complementing conventional mineral extraction and processing.
Strategy to undergo further review
Following the workshop, a technical drafting committee will finalise the policy documents for submission to senior officials and ministers for review and formal adoption ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026.
Once adopted, the ASEAN Critical Minerals Strategy is expected to support implementation of the ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan Phase IV, which runs through 2030.
The strategy forms part of ASEAN’s broader efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in mineral resources management and support sustainable growth amid rising demand for materials used in clean energy technologies.
