Essay by Eric Worrall
Who could have seen that coming…
Metal mining is a global driver of environmental change
Stefan Giljum, Victor Maus, Laura Sonter, Sebastian Luckeneder, Tim Werner, Stephan Lutter, Julia Gershenzon, Megan J. Cole, Juliana Siqueira-Gay & Anthony Bebbington
Abstract
Global metal extraction is increasing, owing to rising mineral demands from infrastructure development and the growing need for metal-intensive renewable energy technologies to mitigate climate change and phase out coal mining. However, extraction of metal ores also drives impacts on land use, water resources and biodiversity. In this Review, we evaluate mining trends of 47 metal ores between 1970 and 2022 and explore the environmental consequences. Global extraction of crude metal ores has nearly quadrupled, from 2.7 gigatonnes (Gt) in 1970 to almost 9.4 Gt in 2022, with the greatest increases in Oceania (+1,222%), South America (+929%) and Asia (+285%). Ore-specific mining activities are generally concentrated, with the top-five producers contributing on average 82.7% of the global supply in 2022. The impacts of mining are also concentrated. In 2022, about 50% of the 100,000 km2 global mining areas were located in Russia, China, Australia, the United States and Indonesia. Mining-induced water consumption, pollution and biodiversity loss substantially affect local ecosystems, with tropical rainforests and deserts being especially vulnerable. Around 70% of global metal extraction is linked to international supply chains. Enhanced environmental assessments, stricter implementation of policies, and coordinated actions across sectors throughout supply chains (mining, processing, consumers and financial markets) can help to mitigate the environmental impacts of mining.
Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-025-00683-w
WUWT has reported many times on the catastrophic damage green energy initiatives are doing to the environment.
When you add the insane energy and mineral requirements of artificial intelligence…
The failure of the renewable energy revolution is inevitable. The only question is, how long will it take until politicians stop even pretending to care about renewables?
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Anyone with more functioning brain cells than Joe Biden?
So no Democrats, then.
They like to pretend to, but the Climate Industrial Complex doesn’t actually care about the environment.
They are parasites.
Nope. I don’t see it. Therefore, it’s not a problem.
“… how long will it take …”
The peak of witch hunts lasted 70 years, from 1560 to 1630. As a parallel hysteria, we likely won’t see the complete end of the scam for another 35 years.
Ouch.
Direct comparisons are not valid. The speed of history is not constant. It depends on population density, on channels and speed of information flow/exchange, on the risks contrarians are facing, etc. Humanity was stuck in pre-industrial state for thousands of years, in glacial pace medieval evolution for hundreds, but when floodgates open, progress can be unstoppable. Plus, the witch hunting of 16-18 centuries was more of anachronism in the advancing Enlightenment era, while what we are experiencing now is more an attempt of elites to force regress, similar to the onset of feudal Middle Ages following more advanced, more vertically mobile Roman civilization.
Will this bumper sticker make a comeback?
“If It Can’t Be Grown, It Must Be Mined”
Nah, that’s the inept Obama era EPA turning the Colorado River into the Ganges.
Their final trick … Flint, Michigan’s leaded water supply!
Consumption of too much Heavy Metal leads you to believe A/C-D/C is a good idea and turns Men into Twisted Sisters
Remember how Obama pretended to drink a glass of that water? They have excellent water on Martha’s Vineyard.
I believe it was the Animas.
“The only question is, how long will it take until politicians stop even pretending to care about renewables?”
When the money runs out.
That has not stopped them in the past. Just print more money has been the solution. Unintended consequences be damned.
Those, who control the printer can always cover their own losses, so they are free to try any crazy schemes. So, their biggest concern should be keeping monopoly on money printing.
As one who is more familiar than most with the Australian Mining Industry through being a player in it, I state proudly and emphatically that our mining has been done cleanly, as society has demanded, and mostly profitably. The royalties paid to governments have been a major cause of our high standard of living. It even helps the Average Joe here to enjoy widespread recreation like going to the footy in weekend crowds nearing 100,000 people in huge arenas.
This brings me back to the 1960s Profumo Affair, with the comely Mandy Rice Davies making that famous line to the Judge about a denial a witness client offered, “Well, he would, wouldn’t he.” Sad though, about the passing of her comrade in play, Christine, said to have drowned – she was said to have been found bobbing up and down beneath a pier.
The Profumo Affair is as relevant to Aussie mining as these attempts to denigrate it. The article quoted from Nature/Environment has authors who might never have been to Australia. Those Germanic author names with recent era Christian names indicates to me a luvvy group of university youngsters mining a money grant. Boring.
Here are some lovely neat mines I helped to find and develop.By 2015, their combined metal sales was $Aust 43,000 million in 2015 values.
Geoff S
Nice photos. 50+ years in the mining industry and I’ve a few of those under my belt as well. Always proud of the fact that I contributed to the production of the metals that society demanded. Certainly felt the heat but was never bothered by it.
Remove all mandates and subsidies for wind, solar and EVs and all of this madness disappears overnight. We do not have an energy problem or a science problem or a climate problem. No, we have a government problem.
Remember “order out” is the motto of Dems who are just fine with all mfg leaving also, unless a union leader phones.
“…. how long will it take until politicians stop even pretending to care about renewables?”
I predict Wokeachusetts will be the last place for politicians to get enlightened- ever later than CA. Here, the politicians aren’t even aware of any problems with the green new deal. I see the same fanaticism every day in the local media including the Boston Globe and comments from senior politicians- including of course the governor. Not the slightest backing off.
The birthplace of ignorance.
“The only question is, how long will it take until politicians stop even pretending to care about renewables?”
Just a guess, but probably when they see the pitchforks and torches approaching.
My guess, when they find something more profitable.