The recent expansion of lithium mining in Nigeria has raised concerns about its impact on the concept of just transition to clean energy. A webinar titled ‘Voices from Mining Communities: Exploring the Complexities of Lithium Mining in the Just Transition Discourse’ was organized to address the detrimental effects of lithium mining on local communities and the environment.
Hosted by the Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), and Global Alliance for Incinerators Alternative (GAIA) members in Nigeria, the webinar examined the potential consequences of the commissioning of a lithium plant in Nasarawa State. The leaders of these organizations expressed their reservations about the current trajectory of lithium mining in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, expressed deep concern over the exclusion of communities affected by solid mineral extraction from discussions about mining activities in their areas during his presentation at the webinar. He highlighted the need for African governments to ensure that local communities benefit from the extraction of minerals like lithium and are involved in the governance structure.
The webinar also brought attention to the inadequate regulation of solid mineral extraction in Africa, leading to the exploitation of natural resources to the benefit of more developed countries. According to North Africa Outreach Coordinator of GAIA Africa, Kenza Elazkem, critical minerals like lithium are primarily valuable to the global north, which often extracts them from regions with weaker regulations.
The webinar featured stories from mining communities in Nasarawa, Nigeria, and Nwange, Zimbabwe, providing firsthand accounts of the impact of lithium mining on their lives and environments. The speakers emphasized the need for a just transition to sustainable renewable energy practices without further contributing to the exploitation of natural resources.
The webinar featured speakers such as Richard Benin, Executive Director of CODAF; Dr. Leslie Adogame, representative of GAIA members in Nigeria; and Maimoni Ubrei-Joe, Co-founder of CODAF. The discussions covered various aspects of mining practices in Africa and the urgent need for more sustainable approaches to renewable energy.
The forum also shed light on the promotion of campaigns by GAIA to reject products that heavily rely on critical minerals and to reduce the overall use of these minerals. The goal is to reduce the environmental and social impact of mining activities in regions with weak regulations.
In conclusion, the webinar served as a platform for critical discussions on the state of lithium mining in Africa and its implications for the concept of just transition to clean energy. The leaders and members of various organizations highlighted the need for stronger regulations and greater participation of local communities in decision-making processes related to mining activities. It is evident that there is a pressing need for more sustainable and equitable approaches to mineral extraction and renewable energy practices in Africa and other parts of the global south.