Mining for metals to build electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels and electric grids linked to more than 300 incidents of violence, protest and deaths between 2021 and 2023.
Thursday 7th November 2024, London – New Global Witness analysis shows that mining for metals to build renewable technologies necessary to meet critical climate targets, is sparking social unrest and violence – from Argentina to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Indonesia.
Incidents include deadly clashes between protesters and police, communities who have lost their land, peaceful marches, artisanal miners angry about working conditions, and people who want to protect the environment.
The majority of the unrest linked to "transition minerals" is taking place in less-wealthy countries, yet it is companies from wealthier countries and countries consuming the most minerals that are capturing most of the profits. Our new report, produced in partnership with African Resources Watch (AFREWATCH) and Jaringan Advokasi Tambang (JATAM), found:
- 334 incidents of violence or protest between 2021 and 2023, that’s 111 incidents per year on average.
- Almost 90% of incidents were in countries with emerging and developing economies.
- 71% to 81% of the mining production is controlled by companies from advanced economies or major consumer countries.
- Between 2021 and 2028, copper mining is estimated to increase by over 25%, cobalt over 100%, lithium over 300% and nickel over 75%.
As global leaders meet at COP29 and the Paris Peace Forum, Global Witness is calling for:
- Countries where minerals are consumed and where mining companies are based should share the benefits of mining with producer countries and adopt and enforce standards to protect the rights of people and the environment affected by mining.
- Countries where mining happens should enforce laws protecting human rights, labour rights, and the environment affected by mining, including ensuring meaningful public participation during decisions about whether mining should happen and that rights to free, prior and inform consent are respected.
- Consumer and producer countries should work together to monitoring and remedy the human rights and environmental impacts of transition mineral mining.
- Countries should meet essential climate targets while stemming consumption of critical minerals by prioritising energy efficiency and switching to circular economies.
Emily Iona Stewart, Head of Policy and EU relations at Global Witness:
“The fight against the climate emergency is a fight to save humanity and the planet. The energy transition must not to come at the expense of people, especially those in less wealthy countries who are already suffering the most from extreme weather and damaged infrastructure. It is vital that mining for transition minerals is done in a responsible and sustainable way. The world will be a less stable, less just place if transition mineral mining further increases inequality between the world’s poorer and wealthier countries.”