batterieslatest news & developments
Lithium mines in Zimbabwe’s communal areas deprive people of their land rights, grazing land and water. Photo: Madelene Cronjé

Mining of critical minerals tramples grazing and water rights in Zimbabwe

Laws exist to protect the environment and people, but these are not enforced regarding mining, in particular lithium

4 min read
(File photo by Tafadzwa Ufumeli/Getty Images)

Only a Pan-African industrial policy on critical minerals for renewable will unlock prosperity

African countries must avoid the mistakes of the fossil-fuel industrial revolution; the mining of cobalt, lithium, manganese, nickel and copper must be based on equity, human rights and local development

6 min read
Lead legacy: research shows that lead, a base metal used for making car batteries, still contaminates Zambian towns years after mines are closed down. Photo: Human Rights Watch

Zambia tallies the costs of mining for electric batteries

Still reeling from environmental and public health problems caused by lead mining 30 years ago, the country now faces growing manganese demand for electric batteries

15 min read