UNICRI – United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

NEW UNICRI Report: Crimes Associated with Critical Minerals in Southeast Asia

As Southeast Asia’s role in global critical mineral supply chains grows, so does its exposure to criminal threats like environmental crimes, corruption, and illicit financial flows.

UNICRI’s latest publication analyzes how various actors exploit legal and enforcement gaps across the mineral value chain. It includes case studies on unlawful extraction, smuggling, and corruption-linked offenses.

Key criminal patterns identified:

• Illegal mining operations
• Corruption in licensing and environmental compliance
• Smuggling and laundering of proceeds
• Lack of supply chain transparency

Recommendations to strengthen regional responses:

• Enhance financial investigation and AML cooperation
• Develop traceability tools and leverage complementary technologies such as satellite monitoring
• Build enforcement capacity on mining-related crime
• Promote inter-agency coordination
• Empower Indigenous and local communities through strengthened FPIC implementation
• Advance research on criminal methodologies in mineral supply chains

UNICRI supports collaboration among Member States and relevant stakeholders to promote secure, transparent, and sustainable mineral supply chains.​

Read the report: https://bit.ly/4lHUBf3