A new report by the Oakland Institute, titled “RUSH: Global Scramble for Minerals Wages War on People and Planet,” contends that the intensifying extraction of critical minerals has significant global implications, particularly for African nations.
The report challenges the notion that increased mining is essential for the green energy transition. It highlights that the expansion of mining operations has already resulted in destruction of land, livelihoods, and water resources. Projections suggest this devastation will continue as global demand for critical minerals is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. Between 2000 and 2024, nickel production increased by 187%, rare earth extraction by 329%, and lithium production by 1,602%.
However, the report found that the majority of critical minerals are currently used in industries unrelated to green energy. Renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, battery storage, and power networks account for approximately one-fifth of the demand. The remaining demand comes from defense, aerospace, conventional transport, AI data centers, and construction.
Source: Mongabay