Challenges and opportunities of mineral extraction for energy transition on Indigenous land

Abstract

Energy transition is a critical aspect of fulfilling the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, given that approximately two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions stem from energy-related sources. Low-carbon technologies are pivotal in this transition, leading to an increased demand for minerals. Limiting global warming to 2 °C to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement requires a quadrupling of minerals by 2040 than today. Given the current low recovery and recycling rate of these minerals, a substantial portion of the mineral supply must originate from new sources, resulting in an increase in mining activities. The current geopolitical situation, e.g., China's significant control over mineral extraction and refining processes, has led to an increase in domestic mining projects in the Global North. Particularly concerning is the trend of these projects being situated on Indigenous land. A recent publication shows that more than 50 % of mining projects for energy transition are located on or near Indigenous land. 29% of these projects are on land where Indigenous peoples are recognized as managing or exercising some form of control or influence. Indigenous communities, in contrast to recent settlers or colonizers in these regions, rely directly on local natural resources for their livelihoods. This dependency makes them highly vulnerable to environmental changes in addition to their relationships to nature and place-based identity. Consequently, they are particularly exposed to the environmental repercussions of mining activities such as the processes of mining, rehabilitation, and closure. This article gives an overview of the challenges and opportunities of mineral extraction on Indigenous land based on recent literature and exemplary examples. Further, it suggests how western-based social-ecological systems frameworks could be adapted to integrate Indigenous ontologies.