A fundamental choice for Critical Minerals development: "Fascism or radical democracy?"

The global demand for critical minerals like lithium and copper is surging, but how we attempt to quickly extract them, argues Katherine Teh , Executive Chairman of Spektrum Development , presents a fundamental choice: embrace authoritarian tactics that disregard communities or pursue transparent, consent-based development. In this pivotal moment, the stakes are high-ranging, from environmental destruction to lost economic potential. Which path should be chosen? Katherine Teh of Spektrum Development addressing the 2024 ACFID Conference WE ARE AT a crossroads in the energy transition. The gap between what the mining industry promises and what it delivers has been widening, creating not only delays but the potential for significant socio-economic and environmental risks. As the demand for critical minerals like copper, graphite, and lithium increases, we’re facing mounting challenges in securing these resources quickly enough to support the transition to renewable energy. The Problem...

Philippines mining urged to use geohazard maps

A Philippines anti-mining network is urging the the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to use geohazard maps to review mining tenements and abandoned mines to prevent mining disaster.

The Alyansa Tigil Mina, an advocacy group and people’s movement composed of more than 80 organizations from mining-affected communities and civil society organizations nationwide, said the DENR's P60 million geohazard mapping study of the Philippines had identified landslide and flood prone areas in the country.

“This data should be maximized to strategically mitigate mining disasters—if effectively integrated in land use planning, land development, disaster-risk reduction and climate change adaptation” said Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, as quoted by The Inquirer.

“The top landslide prone and flood prone provinces such as Benguet, Mt. Province, Kalinga Apayao, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, etc identified by DENR are the same provinces which host big mine operations in the country,” said Garganera. “These geohazard areas impacted both by bad weather and mining put communities at high-risk to catastrophe.”