The recent inauguration of a lithium plant in Nasarawa State, Nigeria has raised concerns regarding the potential impacts of lithium mining on local communities and the concept of just transition to clean energy. A webinar, organized by the Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), and Global Alliance for Incinerators Alternative (GAIA) in Nigeria, provided a platform for participants to express their apprehensions about the potential negative effects of lithium mining in the region.
Philip Jakpor, the Executive Director of RDI, highlighted the exclusion of communities affected by solid mineral extraction, such as lithium and gold, from discussions about mining activities within their areas. He underscored that the current trajectory of mineral extraction in Africa does not align with the principles of just transition, characterizing natural resources on the continent as a curse rather than a blessing.
The insufficiency of effective regulation of solid mineral extraction in Africa and other parts of the global south was also a point of concern for the forum. Kenza Elazkem, the North Africa Outreach Coordinator of GAIA Africa, pointed out the fact that critical minerals like lithium are primarily valuable to the global north, which often exploits weak regulations in the global south to extract these resources.
In response to these challenges, GAIA is advocating for campaigns to reduce the use of critical minerals and reject products designed for waste. The webinar, facilitated by Marina Agortimevor, the Coordinator of the Africa Coal Network, featured narratives from mining communities in Nasarawa, Nigeria, and Nwange, Zimbabwe, shedding light on the realities of living in close proximity to mining activities.
The discussion also addressed the misinterpretation of just transition as the expansion of mining sites in Africa, which often results in the enrichment of multinational corporations at the expense of local communities. The forum members emphasized the need for African governments to ensure that communities affected by mineral extraction are included in the governance structures and receive benefits from these activities.
Several speakers presented their perspectives on the topic, including Richard Benin, the Executive Director of CODAF, Dr. Leslie Adogame from GAIA, and Maimoni Ubrei-Joe, the Co-founder of CODAF. The challenges of sustainable mining and the impact of mining activities on communities in Nasarawa and Nwange were also discussed extensively.
The insights shared during the webinar provide valuable perspectives on the complexities of lithium mining in Africa and the implications for just transition to clean energy. It is essential for stakeholders, including government authorities, industry players, and civil society organisations, to consider the concerns raised by the forum and work towards responsible and sustainable mineral extraction practices.
As the demand for lithium and other critical minerals continues to rise, it is imperative to prioritize the well-being of local communities and the environment in the pursuit of renewable energy sources. By addressing the challenges associated with lithium mining in Africa, and embracing the principles of just transition, it is possible to create a more equitable and sustainable energy future for all.