mining
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Activists demand halt to uranium mining near Grand Canyon
Environmentalists and tribal members are urging Arizona officials to end uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, citing health and environmental risks.
In short:
- Activists delivered a petition with over 17,500 signatures to Governor Katie Hobbs, calling for the closure of the Pinyon Plain Mine.
- Uranium mining poses significant health risks and threatens water sources critical to the Grand Canyon's ecosystem and local communities.
- The governor’s office acknowledged receipt but has yet to take action on the petition.
Key quote:
“The safe thing to do, the prudent thing to do, is to avoid that risk altogether and close the mine.”
— Taylor McKinnon, director of the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
The Grand Canyon has long been a battleground for conservation efforts. Uranium mining, with its potential to contaminate water sources and disrupt ecosystems, adds a new layer of urgency to these efforts. The Havasupai Tribe, whose ancestral lands lie within the Grand Canyon, has been vocal about the threats posed to their health and way of life. Contaminated water sources could have devastating effects on both human populations and the diverse wildlife that call the canyon home.
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Indonesian nickel industry expands, causing deforestation
Indonesia's rapid expansion of its nickel industry, driven by demand for electric vehicle batteries, is leading to significant deforestation and environmental damage.
Victoria Milko, Ed Davey, and Camille Fassett report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Indonesia has dramatically increased its nickel smelting capacity, now responsible for over half of the global nickel ore supply.
- Deforestation has more than doubled around new nickel smelters, leading to increased landslides, polluted rivers, and loss of wildlife habitats.
- Local communities suffer from the environmental impacts, with reduced agricultural yields, contaminated water, and loss of income from traditional hunting and fishing.
Key quote:
"The damage to the environment is devastating. Deforestation has significantly increased ... rivers are polluted, mangroves are cut to develop smelter areas, coastal areas and coral are being damaged by the smelters."
— Timer Manurung, chairman of Auriga
Why this matters:
Indonesia’s nickel production is vital for the global electric vehicle market, but it comes at a high environmental cost. Sustainable practices and cleaner energy sources are essential to mitigate these impacts and support local communities.
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Newsletter
A Nevada community fights lithium mine to protect rare fish and water resources
A Nevada community is uniting to fight a proposed lithium mine that threatens the scarce water resources vital to the rare Devil’s Hole pupfish and other local species.
In short:
- The Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, known as the "Galapagos of the Mojave Desert," is home to 26 endemic species, including the endangered Devil’s Hole pupfish.
- A proposed lithium mine near the refuge could significantly deplete water resources, endangering the wildlife and local community wells already running dry.
- Local residents, environmentalists, and tribal leaders are leveraging the Endangered Species Act to oppose the mine, seeking federal intervention to protect the area.
Key quote:
“We want to save Ash Meadows, but Ash Meadows is going to save us.”
— Carolyn Allen, chair of the Amargosa Valley Town Board
Why this matters:
The proposed lithium mine could devastate the fragile ecosystem and water supply in one of the hottest and driest regions of the U.S., highlighting the ongoing conflict between renewable energy development and environmental conservation.
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Newsletter
Credit: Thought Catalog/Unsplash
Bitcoin mining threatens Texas power grid stability
Granbury, Texas, residents and lawmakers express growing concerns over the impact of a local Bitcoin mine on noise pollution and the state's power grid reliability.
In short:
- Cheryl Shadden, a Granbury resident, suffers from severe noise pollution caused by a nearby 300-megawatt Bitcoin mining facility, leading to permanent hearing loss.
- Texas lawmakers warn that the increasing power demand from cryptocurrency mines could destabilize the state’s electrical grid, especially during peak usage times.
- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) estimates that additional electricity demand from such facilities will significantly rise by 2027, potentially worsening grid stability.
Key quote:
"They’re going to put our grid at risk because of the power they’re drawing."
— José Menéndez, Texas State Senator
Why this matters:
Bitcoin mining is notoriously energy-intensive, and with Texas already experiencing grid vulnerabilities, many worry about the additional strain this digital gold rush is placing on an already fragile system. The energy consumption of Bitcoin mines isn't just a local issue; it's a global one, with substantial carbon footprints. As the world grapples with climate change, the demand for such energy-guzzling operations raises questions about sustainability and our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Newsletter
Copper recycling increases as demand soars
Copper manufacturers in Montreal are boosting recycling efforts to meet rising demand.
In short:
- Nexans mill in Montreal now produces copper rods with 14% recycled metal, aiming for 20%.
- The shift towards electrification to reduce greenhouse gases is driving up copper demand, projected to nearly double by 2035.
- Recycling copper reduces the need for new mining, lessening environmental impacts.
Key quote:
“We say to our customers: Your waste of today, your scrap of today is your energy of tomorrow, so bring back your scrap.”
— Christopher Guérin, CEO of Nexans
Why this matters:
Mining copper is an energy-intensive process that often results in substantial carbon emissions and environmental degradation. By recycling copper, manufacturers can diminish their reliance on mining, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural landscapes.
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Newsletter
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The hidden exploitation behind clean energy's cobalt demand
Activists are raising awareness about the exploitation of Black workers and resources in the Congo, driven by the demand for cobalt used in clean energy technologies.
In short:
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the source of most of the world's cobalt, essential for electric vehicles and electronics.
- Child labor and unsafe mining conditions are rampant, with thousands of workers, including children, facing dangerous conditions for minimal pay.
- Black-led movements in the U.S. are connecting the exploitation in the Congo with systemic inequities faced by Black Americans.
Key quote:
“Cobalt mining is the slave farm perfected. It is a system of absolute exploitation for absolute profit.”
— Siddharth Kara, author of Cobalt Red: How The Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives
Why this matters:
The demand for clean energy technologies is driving human rights abuses in the Congo. Cobalt is a mineral vital for the production of lithium-ion batteries, which power many electric vehicles and electronic devices. A large portion of the world's cobalt comes from the DRC, where there have been reports of unsafe working conditions and child labor in the mines.
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Newsletter
Congress moves to enhance mining rights on federal land
A bipartisan bill expanding legal rights for mining companies on federal lands has passed the House and is progressing in the Senate.
Esther Frances, Megija Medne, and Phillip Powell report for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act passed the House with bipartisan support and now awaits Senate approval.
- The bill aims to overturn a 2022 court decision that restricted mining waste dumping on federal lands without a valid mineral claim.
- Environmental and Indigenous groups argue the legislation threatens sacred lands and critical environmental protections.
Key quote:
“It makes no sense on its face, that a mining company can dump toxic waste on areas where they have no claims on public land.”
— Laiken Jordahl, Southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
The proposed legislation could significantly weaken environmental safeguards and legal precedents protecting public and Indigenous lands from unregulated mining activities. Federal lands are often home to unique ecosystems and wildlife, and increased mining activities could lead to habitat destruction, water contamination, and increased carbon emissions.
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