Dr. Gracelin Baskaran

Research Director for Energy Security and Climate Change Center for Strategic and International Studies

Dr. Gracelin Baskaran is the research director and senior fellow for the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She is a mining economist, and her primary expertise is in critical minerals, trade, and emerging markets. Prior to joining CSIS, she spent 7 years in South Africa working on the platinum group metals sector and later joining the World Bank. Dr Baskaran coauthored the book Africa’s Resource Future: Harnessing Natural Resources for Economic Transformation during the Low-Carbon Transition (World Bank, 2023). She has also held academic positions at the University of Cambridge, University of London, and University of Cape Town. Her work has been published in the Journal of Mineral Economics, Energy Intelligence, Bloomberg, US International Trade Commission, the Brookings Institution’s Foresight Africa, Business Day, and Foreign Policy amongst others. She frequently speaks at international mining forums. Dr. Baskaran was a Fulbright Scholar and holds a doctorate from the University of Cambridge.

2024 Agenda Sessions

Balancing supply & security – are international mineral partnerships providing equal value to produc

Are international mineral partnerships providing equal value to producers?

Minerals have become a form of political capital on the global stage. What role does access to a secure mineral supply have?
With a lack of contextual understanding & consultation of continental stakeholders, is the Western approach to mineral partnerships patronising to Africa? Does this push producers to alternate sources?
Despite the promise of win-win relationships from alternative sources, how much value have these partnerships actually provided to the continent?
How can prospective partners promote Africa’s development, through localisation and contribute to the integration of producer countries into the value chain?

Monday 05 February 15:30 - 16:00 Governments Stage

Intergovernmental Summit

Add to calendar 02/05/2024 15:30 02/05/2024 16:00 Balancing supply & security – are international mineral partnerships providing equal value to produc Are international mineral partnerships providing equal value to producers?

Minerals have become a form of political capital on the global stage. What role does access to a secure mineral supply have?
With a lack of contextual understanding & consultation of continental stakeholders, is the Western approach to mineral partnerships patronising to Africa? Does this push producers to alternate sources?
Despite the promise of win-win relationships from alternative sources, how much value have these partnerships actually provided to the continent?
How can prospective partners promote Africa’s development, through localisation and contribute to the integration of producer countries into the value chain?

Governments Stage Africa/Johannesburg

Unlocking Africa’s true value: De-risking mining investment

Overcoming investment obstacles – How do nationalisation risks, regulatory challenges and market transparency impede investment?
Ensuring greater accountability - What do investors look for when navigating project risk?
How can increased regulatory transparency and liberation ease offset these perceived challenges?
International security & partnership pacts – Are these easing or hindering access to investment opportunities?
How can mining companies overcome a lack of project investment when there is no infrastructure to support their project?

Tuesday 06 February 14:40 - 15:20 Pioneers Stage

Investment Series

Add to calendar 02/06/2024 14:40 02/06/2024 15:20 Unlocking Africa’s true value: De-risking mining investment

Overcoming investment obstacles – How do nationalisation risks, regulatory challenges and market transparency impede investment?
Ensuring greater accountability - What do investors look for when navigating project risk?
How can increased regulatory transparency and liberation ease offset these perceived challenges?
International security & partnership pacts – Are these easing or hindering access to investment opportunities?
How can mining companies overcome a lack of project investment when there is no infrastructure to support their project?

Pioneers Stage Africa/Johannesburg

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