Commonwealth Secretariat Unveils Model Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines

London, UK — The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched the Commonwealth Model Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines during its inaugural Environmental Resilience Day, held on Wednesday, 21 January.

The Guidelines position mining feasibility studies as critical public-interest tools that inform regulatory decisions and shape long-term development outcomes.

Speaking at the launch, Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey said that for many Commonwealth member countries, mineral resources are not only a source of revenue but also a potential pathway towards resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development.

“At its heart, the Model Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines are about a simple but vital question: is this project truly in the national interest?” Botchwey said. “A feasibility study should be more than numbers on a page. It should assess whether developing a resource will create lasting value, protect people and the environment, and strengthen long-term economic security. When this work is done poorly, countries can be locked into harmful outcomes for generations. When it is done well, it can become a powerful driver of sustainable growth.”

The development of the Guidelines was spearheaded by Naadira Ogeer, Head of Energy and Natural Resources at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She said the Guidelines were developed at the request of member countries to support more informed, transparent, and consistent decision-making throughout the mining project lifecycle.

“They respond to the current absence of model guidelines and will assist governments as they review and engage with mining feasibility studies going forward,” Ogeer said. “This is especially important given the growing global demand for critical minerals and the long investment cycles associated with mining projects.”

A feasibility study, the Secretariat noted, is not merely a technical or financial document but the first and most critical step in determining whether a mining project should proceed. The Guidelines will help governments assess whether proposed projects are realistic, responsible, and aligned with national development priorities.

Without rigorous feasibility studies, governments risk approving projects that may be unsustainable, fail to deliver anticipated benefits, or impose disproportionate social and environmental costs.

The inaugural Environmental Resilience Day also showcased the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Climate Change and Oceans Directorate, which includes the Energy and Natural Resources section—as a core pillar of the Strategic Plan 2025–2030. Held under the theme A Resilient Commonwealth: Driving environmental resilience for people and planet, the event brought together UK-based High Commissioners, private sector representatives, academics, and youth organisations to strengthen collaboration on resilience, access to finance, accelerating the energy transition, and shaping global climate, ocean, and natural resource governance.

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https://thecommonwealth.org/publications/understanding-mining-feasibility-studies