How Mining Affects African Traditional Lands

KEY POINTS

• Mining activities in Africa have led to significant environmental degradation, including deforestation and pollution.
• Local communities often face displacement and loss of livelihoods due to mining operations.
• Cultural heritage is at risk as traditional lands are encroached upon by mining activities.

Mining has long been a cornerstone of economic development in Africa, contributing significantly to national revenues and global mineral supplies. 

However, the expansion of mining activities often encroaches upon traditional lands, leading to a complex interplay of environmental degradation, social disruption, and cultural erosion.

Environmental degradation

The environmental impact of mining on traditional African lands is profound. Activities such as deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources are common, leading to the loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems. 

For instance, a report by the World Resources Institute revealed that from 2001 to 2020, mining caused the loss of nearly 1.4 million hectares of trees, particularly in tropical rainforests, releasing approximately 36 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. 

Displacement and loss of livelihoods

Mining operations often necessitate the displacement of local communities, disrupting traditional lifestyles and livelihoods.

In South Africa, for example, communities near coal mines have reported forced relocations without adequate compensation, leading to loss of agricultural land and income. 

Residents have also faced health issues due to pollution from mining activities. 

Cultural erosion

The intrusion of mining activities into traditional lands can lead to the erosion of cultural heritage. 

Sacred sites may be destroyed, and traditional practices disrupted, leading to a loss of cultural identity among indigenous populations. 

In Algeria’s Kabyle region, for instance, local communities have expressed concerns over a planned zinc and lead mine, fearing it will destroy fertile agricultural lands and disrupt their way of life. 

Conflicts and human rights violations

The competition for mineral resources has often led to conflicts and human rights violations. 

In Ghana, the surge in illegal small-scale gold mining, known as “galamsey,” has resulted in environmental degradation and health risks, prompting peaceful protests by local communities. 

Similarly, in South Africa, illegal gold miners, referred to as “zama zamas,” have caused severe disruptions in communities, leading to increased crime rates and violence. 

Legal and policy challenges

The governance of mining activities on traditional lands is often fraught with legal and policy challenges. 

In Nigeria, for example, the government is intensifying efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities that exploit the country’s rich lithium deposits, crucial for the global clean energy transition. 

This crackdown aims to regulate mining operations, curb illegal mining, and increase government revenue. 

Community resistance and advocacy

Despite the challenges, communities across Africa are increasingly resisting mining activities that threaten their lands and livelihoods.

In Ghana, hundreds of people marched through Accra in a peaceful protest against illegal small-scale gold mining, highlighting the significant health risks and environmental damage caused by such activities.