Lithium, Others Critical To Clean Energy Shift

– But extraction poses significant environmental risks

Story: Isaac AIDOO, Accra

TRANSITION minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper are critical to the global shift toward clean energy, yet their extraction poses significant risks to communities, ecosystems, and human rights.

The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has called for urgent reforms to address the challenges while maximizing the benefits for resource-rich countries like Ghana.

At a workshop held in Accra for media professionals and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NRGI’s Economic Analyst, Mr. David Sefa Adjei, emphasized the delicate balance between leveraging these resources for development and safeguarding against potential exploitation and environmental destruction.

Critical Minerals in Vulnerable Regions

About 40% of the world’s critical mineral reserves are located in countries with weak or failing governance systems, raising concerns about their ability to enforce sustainable mining practices.

“More than half of the reserves for transition minerals are found on lands where Indigenous or peasant communities hold rights,” Mr. Adjei stated. “Without strong governance, these communities risk displacement and rights violations.”

Environmental and Social Costs of Mining

While transition minerals are essential for renewable energy technologies, their extraction comes with severe consequences:

            •           Water Scarcity and Pollution: Mining one tonne of lithium requires over 2 million liters of water. Alarmingly, 50% of global copper and lithium production takes place in water-scarce regions. Illegal mining in Ghana has already polluted 60% of water bodies in the Central Region, according to the Forestry Commission.

            •           Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss: Mining has contributed to the destruction of 38 forest reserves in Ghana, with devastating impacts on ecosystems and carbon storage.

            •           Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Despite their role in enabling renewable energy, mining processes remain highly energy-intensive, contributing to climate change.

            •           Human Rights Violations: Child labor and the displacement of Indigenous communities are rampant in poorly regulated mining sectors.

Recommendations for a Sustainable Mining Sector

The NRGI has proposed a series of measures to mitigate the environmental and social impacts of transition mineral mining:

            •           Stronger Regulations and Enforcement: Governments must enact and enforce laws to ensure mining activities meet environmental and social standards.

            •           Community Inclusion: The rights and perspectives of local communities, Indigenous groups, and mine workers must be central to mining policies.

            •           Stakeholder Collaboration: Governments, corporations, and civil society must work together across the supply chain to ensure value creation and accountability.

            •           Sustainability Standards: Binding mechanisms should hold mining companies accountable for their impacts on communities and ecosystems.

The Way Forward for Ghana

Ghana, like many resource-rich countries, faces the dual challenge of capitalizing on its mineral wealth while minimizing harm to its environment and people. With illegal mining already wreaking havoc on water bodies and forests, the country must prioritize sustainable practices to protect its natural resources.

“Collaboration between stakeholders is vital to overcome these challenges and create value throughout the entire mineral value chain,” Mr. Adjei urged.

As global demand for transition minerals surges, the need for sustainable governance frameworks has never been greater. By adopting a balanced approach, Ghana and other resource-rich nations can secure a cleaner energy future without compromising their people or planet.