Key Takeaways

• A report by the Oakland Institute highlights the adverse effects of mineral extraction in Africa, contradicting claims that it supports green energy.
• Global demand for critical minerals is skyrocketing, with projections showing a doubling of demand by 2040.
• The report questions whether increased local control over mineral processing will benefit communities or exacerbate existing inequities.

Concerns Over Mineral Extraction in Africa

A new report from the Oakland Institute sheds light on the implications of the growing demand for critical minerals, particularly in African nations. Titled “RUSH: Global Scramble for Minerals Wages War on People and Planet,” the report challenges the belief that mining expansion is essential for the green energy transition.

Frederic Mousseau, policy director at the Oakland Institute, emphasizes that recent mineral extraction activities have significantly harmed lands, livelihoods, and water resources. The forecast for mineral demand is alarming; since 2000, nickel production has increased by 187%, rare earth extraction by 329%, and lithium production has surged by an astonishing 1,602%. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that demand for six key minerals—copper, graphite, lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and nickel—will continue to escalate, with total demand from clean energy technologies expected to double by 2040.

Despite the projected increase in demand, the report concludes that most critical minerals currently serve industries not related to the green energy transition. Renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, and battery storage only account for about 20% of the demand, while conventional industries like defense and construction dominate.

Africa’s situation is particularly precarious, as it contains about 30% of the world’s known mineral reserves but processes less than 15% of its mineral output domestically. Many African countries are attempting to push for more local processing and industrialization, but the effectiveness of these initiatives remains uncertain. Mousseau raises critical questions regarding the benefits of enhanced control over mining and processing, suggesting that it may not equate to improved outcomes for local communities.

Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exemplify these challenges. In Zambia, copper mining operations consume over half of the country’s electricity, with only 43% of households connected to the national grid. Similarly, in the DRC, mining consumes more than 60% of generated electricity, leaving less than 20% of the population with access to electricity.

Mousseau points out the urgent need to consider the ethical implications of extraction practices, which often occur without the consent of local communities and contribute to environmental degradation. He underscores the importance of ensuring equity and accountability in the quest for minerals, as ongoing extraction could lead to further dispossession of local populations. The Oakland Institute’s report raises vital discussions about the future of mineral resource management in Africa and its implications for both people and the planet.

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