Mining for Clean Energy Minerals Threatens Nearly 180,000 Great Apes in Africa

A study highlights the impact of critical mineral mining on gorillas, bonobos, and chimpanzees, calling for measures to protect their habitats.

A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that mining for critical minerals essential for the green energy transition poses a significant threat to Africa's great apes, with nearly 180,000 individuals at risk.
The demand for minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper for clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure is driving mining activities in Africa, endangering the habitats of gorillas, bonobos, and chimpanzees.
Over 80% of the mines in Africa are for critical minerals, with the continent being home to 30% of these resources. However, this overlaps with regions of high biodiversity, including areas where great apes reside.
The study suggests that more than a third of the great ape population in Africa could be directly or indirectly threatened by mining, with the most significant impacts observed in West Africa, particularly in Guinea.
Researchers call for mining companies to avoid impacting great ape habitats and for more robust mitigation and compensation schemes, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity alongside the push for clean energy.