battery manufacturing
Credit: Ken Lund/Flickr
Biden’s EV agenda hits mining world’s boom-and-bust cycle
With a dramatic decline in lithium prices over the last year, companies are putting projects on hold, even as the Biden administration is trying to juice domestic mining and processing sector for critical minerals.
Credit: stefanophotographer/Bigstock
Environmental and human rights concerns arise from Chinese-backed nickel mining in Indonesia
A report highlights severe environmental and Indigenous rights violations by a Chinese-backed nickel industrial project in Indonesia, escalating tensions in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.
In short:
- The U.S.-based Climate Rights International (CRI) accuses the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park, funded by China, of significant environmental damage and rights abuses in Maluku.
- The report emphasizes the risks of Indonesia's ambition to be a key player in the global EV battery market, highlighting issues of safety, land rights and environmental degradation.
- Concerns include fatal accidents, deforestation, water pollution, and inadequate compensation for land taken from local residents.
Key quote:
“The lack of meaningful government oversight of the nickel industry as demonstrated in our report is a serious cause for concern.”
— Krista Shennum, researcher at CRI
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Credit: stefanophotographer/Bigstock Photo ID:456264981
Report outlines cost of Indonesia’s EV dream as Chinese-funded nickel plants linked to pollution, ‘land grabbing’
A report has accused a Chinese-funded industrial estate of causing ‘significant’ environmental destruction and violating the rights of indigenous people.
Credit: Eduardo Bertran/Flickr
Swiss mining firm backs court's land rights decision in Guatemala
The Switzerland-based Solway Investment Group supports a recent court ruling that mandates Guatemala to acknowledge the property rights of an Indigenous community.
In short:
- The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled against Guatemala, asserting the rights of the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ people over mining lands.
- Guatemala is instructed to legislate for Indigenous property recognition and start awarding land titles to the Agua Caliente community within six months.
- Solway, which acquired local mining companies in 2011, pledges to assist the Guatemalan government in respecting the court's decision and the rights of the Indigenous community.
Key quote:
“We will support the efforts of the Guatemalan government to conduct discussions with (the) Agua Caliente community as the court ruling stipulates.”
— Statement from Solway Investment Group
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U.S. plan calls for EV battery plants in Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia
An agreement for EV battery plants would help African nations process their raw materials instead of richer nations getting the benefits.
Autoworkers prepare to strike for a place in the EV future
Some 150,000 US autoworkers are poised to strike this week for better pay. Their union is pushing auto giants to ensure that green jobs won’t be worse jobs.
Inside Manitoba parks, companies are racing to mine critical minerals
Less than a quarter of Manitoba’s parks are protected from industry. As companies race to dig up minerals deemed critical to a low-carbon economy, exploration for new mines is ramping up in provincial parks.
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