Building Disaster and Climate Resilience through Development Minerals

This white paper reviews the critical role of locally sourced construction materials (Development Minerals such as sand, gravel, and cement) in enhancing disaster preparedness, resilience, and recovery, particularly in the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. It shows that despite the significant economic damage caused by disasters globally; existing disaster planning and recovery frameworks often overlook the crucial aspect of sourcing construction materials and largely ignore the quarry sector. It argues that Development Minerals are essential for building resilient infrastructure, facilitating post-disaster reconstruction, enabling renewable energy development, and providing post-disaster employment. The white paper aims to support governments, development partners, and stakeholders by:

• Advancing global discourse on the role of Development Minerals in building resilience and strengthening mineral security.
• Presenting tools and frameworks for informed decision-making in the sector.
• Providing policy options and recommendations to govern the Development Minerals sector, ultimately enhancing preparedness for and recovery from disasters and climate change.