The number of conflicts disrupting or halting the mining of critical minerals, like copper and lithium, is putting the energy transition required to combat climate change at risk, researchers warn in a new study.
The new research from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) shows that there were over 36,000 mineral mining-related conflict events across 4,293 locations worldwide between 2015 and 2022— up to seven times higher than previously recorded. The conflict events, between the local populations and the mining companies and government ranging from verbal disputes to outbreaks of violence, pose a huge risk to clean energy transition worldwide.
The conflicts can lead to long-term disruption and delay to billions of dollars’ worth of investment in mineral activities. For instance, $25 billion worth of mining investments have been suspended in Chile due to local resistance. For low-income countries it can reduce inward investment and prevent countries from benefitting financially from their critical mineral deposits.
The research uses open-source data to produce a first of its kind map showing the occurrences of mining related resistance and conflicts in countries across all continents – not just in low- and middle-income countries. From Chile’s Atacama Desert to the forests of Papua New Guinea and even resource-rich Canada and Australia, resistance is a global phenomenon, and conflicts are just as prevalent in wealthier nations. The conflicts usually arise when governments or mining companies do not respond or supress – sometimes using violence – the disputes that local populations have against the mines, which are often centred around significant environmental and social justice concerns and health risks. This leads to the delay or cancellation of mining projects.
Anabel Marin, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies and co-author of the research said,
“What we found was both striking and urgent. The first thing we discovered is that resistance to mining is not confined to any one region or income group. The presence of mineral deposits, not a country’s level of development, is the key factor in predicting where resistance occurs. It’s everywhere. Secondly, we found that these conflicts weren’t just verbal debates – over 60% of conflicts involved deeply entrenched disputes involving protests, blockades, and even violence.”
“Resistance to mining activities is an economic problem which will require the government and the big companies to open spaces for negotiation with the local population. We need these demands to be heard properly and change how decisions are made for project investments related to mining activities.
“In this context, we believe that ideas of economic democracy – focusing on redistributing economic authority within corporations, among governments, and with affected communities – deserve more serious consideration, not only for social justice but also to enhance our capacity to address these overlapping crises, in a democratic world.”
The research recommends that mining companies and governments need to provide mechanisms that give affected communities a real stake in decision-making, to enable more socially and environmentally just mining, avoid further conflicts, loss of investments, and to enable the energy transition required.
