The 20km ripple effect: how mines can trigger distant deforestation in Africa
Researchers have found that mining operations in sub-Saharan Africa cause significant deforestation, with every hectare of mine footprint triggering the loss of an additional 34 hectares of surrounding forest. The study highlights the environmental cost of extracting critical minerals needed for the global green energy transition.
Why it matters
It reveals the hidden environmental 'ripple effect' of the green energy transition, challenging the assumption that mineral extraction for renewables is inherently sustainable.
The global push for a transition to green energy has sparked demand for critical minerals such as lithium, vanadium, copper and cobalt. These are needed for electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. Sub-Saharan Africa hosts about 30% of the world's mineral reserves, including huge quantities of critical minerals: 92% of all platinum, 36% of all chromium, 54% of all manganese and 56% of all cobalt.
The article presents scientific findings based on satellite data without overt political advocacy, focusing on environmental impact metrics.
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