Published by Promoting Economic Pluralism
A few days before returning to the White House as the new president of the United States, Donald Trump said, “We need Greenland for national security reasons.” His interest is no …
Europe makes slow progress on critical minerals as US and China lead the way Read More
In Kingston, Jamaica, by secret ballot, an election was held earlier this month. The lands whose governance was at stake are vaster than any nation, and it’s possible the consequences …
Humans know very little about the deep sea. That may not stop us from mining it. Read More
By 2050, the annual nickel supply will have to increase by 208%, and annual copper supply by 156% relative to 2020 production levels, if global net-zero emissions goals are to be …
EU faces green dilemma in Indonesian nickel Read More
For years, the Jequitinhonha River Valley, in southeastern Brazil, carried the stigma of being a very poor area, marked by the hunger and illiteracy. But it turns out that treasure …
Lithium fever brings prosperity and headaches to one of the poorest corners of Brazil Read More
Deep-sea mining is the subject of ongoing discussions at the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Such mining would pose substantial risks to marine life and ecosystems, as well as humans, which are …
Deep-sea mining risks costing everyone – including mining companies – the Earth Read More
This month, a small group of diplomats is meeting to hash out a plan that could affect the future of nearly half of Earth’s surface — including regions containing metals that are vital for …
International negotiators just missed a deadline to regulate deep-sea mining. Now what? Read More
In 2019, Thea Riofrancos was splitting her time between researching the social and environmental impacts of lithium mining in Chile and organizing for a rapid energy transition away from fossil fuels …
The “Electrify Everything” Movement’s Consumption Problem Read More
Kaduna, a state in northwestern Nigeria, has selected China’s Ming Xin Mineral Separation Nig Ltd. (MXMS) to build the country’s first lithium-processing plant, with a plan to manufacture batteries for …
China beats Tesla to Nigeria’s lithium riches Read More
German chancellor Olaf Scholz flew to Latin America this week looking for one thing: lithium. Meeting with the leaders of Argentina, Chile, and Brazil — home to the so-called lithium triangle — …
The world needs lithium more than ever, and Latin America knows it Read More
In mid-January, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva accused the country’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, of facilitating genocide against the Indigenous Yanomami people, who live deep in the Amazon rainforest along the border …
How gold mining in Brazil is connected to hundreds of deaths Read More