The Hidden Costs of the Race for Critical Minerals
In recent years, the global demand for critical minerals essential for clean energy and digital technologies has surged dramatically. According to a report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), this rush for resources—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements—is having detrimental effects on the environment and human health, particularly in some of the world’s poorest communities.
The New Gold Rush: Critical Minerals
Lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements have been dubbed the “oil of the 21st century.” They are pivotal for electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and even technologies like artificial intelligence. Kaveh Madani, the director of UNU-INWEH, points out a troubling parallel: the current mineral extraction practices mirror those from the fossil fuel era, where environmental degradation and health impacts were often brushed aside as “acceptable trade-offs.”
This mineral frenzy is alarming, especially given that the demand for these resources tripled between 2010 and 2023, with projections suggesting it could at least double by 2030. The implications of this growth are profound, especially if the world strives to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius.
Exploitation and “Sacrifice Zones”
Abraham Nunbogu, a scientist at UNU-INWEH, emphasizes that the quest for sustainability has inadvertently reproduced old patterns of exploitation, creating new “sacrifice zones”—regions that bear the brunt of these environmentally invasive practices. Technological advancements aimed at sustainability often overshadow the ethical considerations that should govern their implementation, leading to an uneven distribution of both benefits and burdens.
Africa is home to approximately 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for instance, holds over half of the global cobalt deposits and accounts for more than 60% of its production. Remarkably, in the DRC, where the mineral wealth is abundant, around 75% of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day, while a significant portion lacks access to basic drinking water.
Water: The Lifeline Under Threat
One of the most pressing issues stemming from mineral extraction is water security. Mining operations consume vast amounts of water and contribute to pollution. It takes approximately 1.9 million litres of water to produce just one tonne of lithium. This poses a serious risk to communities, particularly in regions like South America’s “Lithium Triangle,” where groundwater levels are plummeting.
In 2024, global lithium production was projected to consume around 456 billion litres of water, enough to meet the annual domestic needs of approximately 62 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Given that many lithium mines operate in arid areas with high evaporation rates, their water usage effectively shifts regional water balances, complicating existing shortages exacerbated by climate change.
The Pollutive Costs of Mining
Water depletion is not the only environmental concern; contamination from mining activities can also have severe health repercussions. The extraction of rare earth minerals can generate an astonishing 2,000 tonnes of toxic waste per tonne extracted. In 2024 alone, global production of rare earth minerals was expected to result in 707 million metric tonnes of toxic waste.
In the DRC, where mining activities are prevalent, health issues like skin diseases and various gynecological problems are alarmingly common, particularly among women and girls. A significant proportion of mining sites also employ children, highlighting the ethical issues tied to mineral extraction in these regions.
The Ripple Effect: Agriculture and Food Security
The impacts of mineral extraction extend beyond immediate health and environmental degradation. Contamination poses a serious threat to agriculture and food security. Heavy metal contamination from mining jeopardizes drinking water, agriculture, and ultimately affects small farmers’ livelihoods. Groundwater depletion can dry up irrigation wells, and heavy metal pollution can destroy soil fertility, rendering crops unsafe for consumption.
The Urgent Call for Reform
Experts argue that current water policies are inadequate to handle the pressures introduced by rampant mineral extraction. Governments often prioritize mining licenses for quick financial returns, neglecting comprehensive water impact assessments. This shortsightedness could lead mining regions to a state of “water bankruptcy,” exhausting vital surface and groundwater resources.
The UNU-INWEH report calls for a restructuring of mineral supply chains, urging governments to invest in recycling infrastructure and pursue scientific research focused on material substitution to lessen the global demand for newly mined minerals. Madani stresses that achieving climate goals sustainably necessitates reducing material demand, enforcing environmental standards, protecting water resources, and ensuring fair distribution of benefits.
Nunbogu highlights the need for mandatory due diligence and trade policies aligned with human rights and water protection. He advocates for support in environmental and health recovery for affected communities. “Ethical consumption without structural reform is insufficient,” he asserts, cautioning that without a multi-faceted approach combining recycling, demand reduction, and enforceable extraction standards, the transition to a greener economy may inadvertently perpetuate existing inequalities and environmental degradation.