Weda Bay is just one example of a global trend that could see the mining industry expand into some of Earth’s last areas of wilderness in search of minerals and materials to feed the global economy.
Analysis produced for the Guardian by a group of academic researchers found more than 3,267 mining operations within key biodiversity areas (KBAs), accounting for nearly 5% of the mining sector’s global footprint. China, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico top the rankings for total surface mining area within key biodiversity areas, the most naturally precious areas of the planet.
Until recently, quantifying the industry’s exact imprint has been a difficult task, with mining companies rarely sharing accessible details about their environmental impact. But a growing number of researchers are using satellite imagery to track the sector’s activities from space.
