The Latest Scramble In Africa Is Its Lithium
Corbis i reuters
In the global energy sector, lithium, characterized by its soft, silvery appearance and exceptional conductivity properties, is known as “white gold.” At the forefront of green energy solutions, lithium is essential for powering most modern technologies, including rechargeable batteries, mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, and electric vehicles. As the world increasingly shifts towards renewable energy sources, African countries bear the social and environmental cost of lithium extraction.
Africa is now the hub for lithium mining. Lithium resources have been found in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mali, and Ethiopia. In the past decade, lithium imports have boomed in overseas countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
Zimbabwe, with Africa’s largest lithium reserves and ranked sixth globally for lithium exports, earned $209 million from the mineral in the first nine months of 2023, according to Zimbabwean Mines and Mining Minister Soda Zhemu.
Despite the massive demand bringing positive economic impacts to African nations, the extraction process has had extreme local and environmental consequences. In 2023, 237 Zimbabweans died as a result of the extraction process, an increase from 139 deaths recorded in the previous year. The lack of labor oversight and regulations as well as unsafe conditions in the mining industry have created dangerous work environments for the locals who mine lithium.
Zimbabwe’s Chief Government Mining Engineer, Michael Munodawafa, said, “This figure is scary. Most of the accidents occurred in unregistered mines, and we have a problem controlling these illegal miners because of a shortage of resources. Out of all the miners in the country, less than 50 percent are registered.”
In Namibia, Chinese mining company Xinfeng Investments was accused of awful living conditions and unsafe work practices by its workers. The employees complained about living in small, hot shacks that lacked proper ventilation and sanitary conditions. In the DRC, there have also been reports of human rights abuses, corruption, displacement, and unsafe working practices in lithium mines.
Furthermore, the extraction of this valuable metal has significant environmental costs. Lithium mining contributes to substantial water depletion, destabilizes the ground, diminishes biodiversity, increases river salinity, contaminates soil, and generates toxic waste. Additionally, the chemicals utilized in lithium extraction, such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, infiltrate soil and water and threaten ecosystems and various species.
“Mining companies after extraction enjoy all the benefits [while] leaving communities in their catchment areas to bear the brunt of life-threatening dangers associated with their operations,” Edmond Kombat, research and finance director of Ghana’s Institute for Energy Security, told ESI Africa.
In December 2022, Zimbabwe imposed a ban on raw lithium ore exports called the Base Minerals Export Control Act. A few months later, Namibia followed suit. The DRC and Ghana have also implemented some restrictions on raw exports. The bans require companies to process lithium ore into concentrates domestically before exporting. However, since the ban, several foreign companies have been accused of illegally operating and exporting lithium.
Although these restrictions help to prevent African countries from losing billions of dollars to foreign companies, they do little to address the social cost of lithium and mineral mining across Sub-Saharan Africa.
As the adoption of renewable energy sources continues to rise, it becomes increasingly crucial for African nations to prioritize the protection of their workers alongside their resources. One potential solution lies in fostering cross-collaboration initiatives across the African continent.
By facilitating partnerships and knowledge-sharing among mineral-rich nations, African countries can collectively develop and implement comprehensive strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of workers in the renewable energy sector. A collaborative approach enhances the effectiveness of workforce protection measures, promotes sustainable development, and strengthens regional solidarity.
Leon Godza, Energy Minerals Minister in Zimbabwe, said, “If we collaborate, this is how we develop as Africa and ensure we take full advantage of our resources.” Resource extraction has been a problem since the 1885 Berlin Conference when European countries partitioned the African continent into protectorates based on their local resources.
Colonial rule saw the establishment of extractive industries and exploitative labor systems, leaving a legacy of social inequality, environmental degradation, and economic dependency. Despite gaining independence, many African nations still struggle with its consequences as the African economy is still heavily reliant on commodity exports.
With lithium and mineral extraction emerging as the latest scramble in Africa, its leaders must make careful decisions to safeguard its people and future.
