Civil society campaigners are sounding the alarm over the potential for neocolonial exploitation as the UK government prepares its critical minerals supply chain strategy. This urgent call to action reflects a broader concern that the scramble for essential minerals—such as cobalt, lithium, and nickel—could be veiled in the guise of environmental progress, while effectively serving the interests of wealthier nations and multinational corporations.
The demand for these critical minerals is positioned as indispensable to the green transition, facilitating the manufacture of wind turbines, solar panels, and other low-carbon technologies. However, campaigners argue that a significant portion of this demand also stems from industries with less noble aims, including arms and consumer technology. Cleodie Rickard, policy manager at Global Justice Now, emphasised the need for the UK government to adopt a nuanced approach in its upcoming strategy. “To have a chance at success, the green transition cannot be built on the exploitation of poorer countries by unaccountable corporations,” she stated, urging the prioritisation of minerals necessary for public good over the profits of arms manufacturers.
Looking ahead, the global demand for critical minerals is expected to quadruple by 2040. This escalating requirement has prompted various nations, including the UK, to forge partnerships with mineral-rich countries like Saudi Arabia, Australia, Kazakhstan, and Zambia. These agreements aim to secure long-term access to essential resources but raise significant ethical questions about the potential impacts on local communities and ecosystems. The alarming realities of mining—ecological disruption, water scarcity, workers’ rights abuses, and violations of Indigenous rights—have been well-documented, calling into question the sustainability of such extraction practices without robust safeguards.
Reports indicate that while the US has garnered headlines for its mineral deal with Ukraine, the complexities of executing such agreements are immense, particularly in refining. With China dominating mineral processing—controlling about 90% of rare earth refining—the challenge lies not merely in extraction but in developing the necessary infrastructure for refinement in producer countries. For example, Ukraine possesses vital minerals for progressive technologies yet lacks the capability to refine them, creating a dependency that complicates the landscape of global supply chains.
Moreover, the exploitation of vulnerable populations is starkly illustrated in countries like Nigeria, where child labour in illegal lithium mines flourishes. According to observers, systemic issues—ranging from inadequate education access to rampant corruption—exacerbate conditions that foster child labour. This not only undermines the welfare of these children but perpetuates cycles of poverty in resource-rich areas.
In response to these challenges, campaigners are insisting that the UK's forthcoming strategy must set clear distinctions between minerals essential for the energy transition and those benefitting corporate interests. The proposal includes aligning agreements with international human rights conventions and commitments to a circular economy. Tom Wills, director of the Trade Justice Movement, reinforced this sentiment, stating, “The UK has a responsibility to lead a sustainable and fair global transition to clean energy which prioritises both environmental protection and human rights.”
On the policy front, the UK is signalling a commitment to intertwine climate objectives with its broader industrial strategy. Recent statements from officials like Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasise that climate action is the defining geopolitical challenge. This approach aims to facilitate the transition to clean energy technologies while supporting economic growth, thereby reflecting a shift towards prioritising both sustainable development and ethical resource management.
As the government moves towards shaping its critical minerals strategy, the calls from civil society groups highlight a critical crossroads: the opportunity to choose a path that champions sustainable practices, respects human rights, and eschews the exploitative tendencies of the past. This potential pivot could help reframe the global narrative surrounding the extraction of critical minerals, ensuring that the drive for green technologies does not result in repeating historical injustices.
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Source: Noah Wire Services