CRITICAL MINERALS PRODUCTION AND THE FUTURE OF MINING: MINIMIZING ADVERSE OUTCOMES TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES

Current projections from both within and outside the mining industry highlight the need for expanded production of metals necessary to facilitate a transition to renewable energy sources, including lithium, copper, cobalt, nickel, and REEs. Whether these projections can accurately predict the future is debatable, but it is the case that they serve more as catalysts for exploration and justifications for easing mining standards than concrete forecasts.

A significant portion of the required metal production is expected to come from areas previously untouched by mining activities, often situated on lands controlled by indigenous groups or considered sacred. Regardless of location, mining proposals can negatively impact rural communities and landscapes, with that harm extending far into the future. The conflict is a common one: that of short-term financial gain at the expense of conservation and environmental protection. We contend that this conflict would be eliminated if existing and new mining projects first met “responsible mining” standards, and then fully accounted for social and environmental costs that are poorly quantified and rarely counted.

While today’s mining practices fall far short of being sustainable, the push for minerals required for today’s decarbonizing technologies provides an opportunity for the mining industry to meet a higher standard. A paradigm shift is necessary, viewing mining as a potential contributor to a circular economy involving waste valorization, repurposing, and comprehensive environmental remediation. Additionally, affected communities must be empowered with resources to assess the pros and cons of mining proposals, as they lack the means to engage effectively and ensure their place at the decision table.

In this paper, we will review several past and current mining proposals and examine the conflicts that made them newsworthy, including such projects as the Oak Flat deposit in Arizona, Lithium America’s Thacker Pass project, the Pebble Mine in Alaska, the Twin Metals project in Minnesota and the Panguna mine in Papua New Guinea. Resolution to conflicts like these requires all sides to come together around a forward-thinking stance that values place, people, justice, and future generations.