Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Nina Lakhani Climate justice reporter, and Amy Hawkins Senior China correspondent

China accused of scores of abuses linked to ‘green mineral’ mining

A worker processes copper wire in Huaian. Copper is the mineral most frequently associated with allegations of harm, followed by nickel.
A worker processes copper wire in Huaian. Copper is the mineral most frequently associated with allegations of harm, followed by nickel. Photograph: Costfoto/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

A new report into China’s dominance in the green-energy market has identified more than a hundred allegations of environmental and human rights violations linked to its overseas transition mineral investments over the past two years.

China dominates the processing and refining of lithium, cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, zinc, chromium, aluminium and rare-earth elements – and the manufacturing of technologies like solar panels, wind turbines and batteries for electric vehicles (EV), which require so-called transition minerals.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.