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Feedback on the People's Dialogue on "Voices from Mining Communities in Africa"

CODAF is thankful to those that joined our webinar that was held on 29th May, 2024 on zoom with the title “Voices From Mining Communities- Exploring the Complexities of Lithium Mining in the Just Transition Discourse”. The dialogue was organized by Community Development Advocacy Foundation-CODAF in collaboration with Renevlyn Development Initiative and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives-GAIA Nigeria members and was moderated by Marina Agortimevour, Coordinator, African Coal Network. The opening remarks were delivered by the Executive Director of CODAF, Mr. Richard Benin and Dr. Leslie Adogame- Representative of GAIA Nigeria members who was ably represented by Dr. Tom Aneni.

The webinar addressed issues around the recent commissioning of a Lithium Plant in Nasarawa State, Nigeria and the misinterpretation of the Just Transition to mean the expansion of mining sites in Africa and also to highlight the negative impacts of lithium extraction in the global south and discussed sustainable alternatives. The webinar was attended by well over 50 environmentalists across Africa, media and concerned individuals.

Maimoni Ubrei-Joe, member of the global advisory hub, GAIA began the session by highlighting the true essence of a just transition and why Nigeria is heading on the path of doom. Maimoni referred to a just transition as a fair and equitable shift from fossil fuels and dirty energy to renewable energy ensuring that no one is left behind in the process. Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevelyn Development Initiative (RDI) who also spoke in the session exposed the challenges lithium mining host communities are experiencing in Nigeria. It also highlighted the different cases of illegal mining activities happening in Nigeria noting that lithium mining communities are reminiscent of oil extraction in the Niger Delta where issues of environmental sustainability are rife and the locals are left out of the governance of what ideally are resources from their own environment that should benefit them. While Lithium is touted by investors as a clean and renewable energy source, both Maimoni and Philip raised concerns about the environmental and social impacts of lithium mining. Mining for minerals like lithium, cobalt, copper etc needed for renewable technologies often occurs on indigenous lands and in biodiversity hotspots. According to them, “it is essential to uphold the rights of Indigenous people and local communities, including their rights to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) as per the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People”. They further discussed the need for policies and regulations that prioritizes the well-being of communities and the environment.

Just before the stories from mining host communities were told, the participants listened to a music video titled “Black Tide in the Niger Delta” by Klub Jeru. The music captured the essence of the Niger Delta people’s plight- a people struggling with the devastating effects of oil pollution. As the mournful tune floated through the virtual space, images of blackened rivers, oil-soaked lands and communities grappling with environmental degradation flashed across the screen. The music served as a reminder of the ongoing crisis faced by the people of the Niger Delta, whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the activities of multinational oil companies in the region.

Farai Maguwu, the Executive Director of Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) told insightful stories of communities in Zimbabwe where mining activities are currently going on which has a look of pits of hell. Farai, described the activities of the miners in Nwange, Zimbabwe as another form of colonialism because they collude with few local politicians and powerful people to intimidate the villagers, grab their lands and drill boreholes to the detriment of the environment. The lack of proper regulation in the lithium mining sector has allowed for rampant exploitation and environmental degradation, he concluded.

We also got a deep insight into the current pits of hell already in the mining sites in Nasarawa State by Leng Dapam.

In another session, Kenza Elaskem of GAIA Africa discussed “transitioning to renewable energies (EV, Solar, Wind) without digging more pits”. The discussant noted that beyond the issues of poor regulations in Africa, the critical minerals are only critical to the Global North which will rather extract from Global South where regulations are weak. The energy transition model currently being promoted by the Global North will push about 3 million Electric Vehicles batteries to Africa by 2050 including batteries that will cause public health hazards in Africa. Most definitely there will be waste colonialism with EV batteries. Also batteries produced for the Global South are not of same standards and quality like those of the Global North, noting that GAIA is promoting campaigns to refuse, reduce and repurpose product designs for wastes and reduce use of critical minerals among others.

The webinar participants emphasized the need for stronger regulations to hold companies accountable for their actions and ensure sustainable and responsible mining practices.

In conclusion, the webinar shed light on the complexities of just transition, lithium mining, poor regulation and end of life of EV batteries in the energy sector. It underscored the urgent need for policymakers, industry leaders and civil society to collaborate to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. The discussions and insights shared during the webinar will serve as a valuable resource for future conversations and actions addressing these critical issues.

Find here recording (X0Nc3@mE) of the webinar and presentation slides.

See below News reports of the webinar:

Lithium Mining in Nigeria nagates just transition by Guardian Nigeria

African CSOs Express Concern Over Lithium Extraction In Communities, Just Energy Transition by Journal Nigeria

Lithium Extraction: Nigeria, other African Countries by Sunnews Online

Nasarawa Lithium Mining is Repeating Niger Delta Oil Exploration Havoc by Vanguard Nigeria

Lithium Mining: Group Moves To Protect Host Communities Against Adverse Effects by Independent Nigeria

Lithium Mining: CSOs demand inclusion of host communities rights in the advocacy for a just transition by Businessday Nigeria

African CSOs express concerns over Lithium extraction, just transition by The trumpet Nigeria.

CSOs Demand Protection of Host Communities Against Impact of Lithium Mining by the Mail.

WHAT'S CODAF

CODAF also known as Rural Community Empowerment Initiative (RUCEi) works to bridge the communication gap between policy makers and the grassroots AND raise awareness of rural dwellers and empowering them to be active players in environmental decision making.

This mandate is anchored on article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights which states that “All peoples shall have the right to a general satisfactory environment favourable to their development

OurGoal

To engage in intervention projects that builds the capacity and empowers rural community people to defend their collective rights to participating in natural resource governance through a right-based approach

OurMission

OurVision

We envision a self-sufficient community in the management of their environment and resources without any form of marginalization.

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