How shared mobility can curb the hidden costs of reducing carbon emission with electric cars
May 6, 2021
Mining raw materials such as cobalt or lithium for information and communications technologies (ICT) or decarbonized mobility comes with a hefty environmental, social, and human rights price tag. With Europe’s green and digital transformation topping the Portuguese EU presidency, besides driving innovations in the transportation sector, clear policies and funds are needed to encourage reduced resource consumption while making supply chains of these minerals fair and sustainable.
Europe’s Green and Digital Decade could be a raw deal for people and the environment in Serbia
March 17, 2021
The European Commission walks a tightrope with the EU Green Deal. Despite the long-term objectives of achieving a circular economy and reducing resource use, it plans to increase raw materials mining to meet the demand for the clean energy, renewables, and other high-tech solutions that are at the forefront of the EU’s green development plans. A planned lithium mine in Serbia, vehemently opposed by local communities, is a poignant example of this tension.
Jadar Lithium Mine, Serbia: A Raw Deal ICT metal mining case study
March 15, 2021
The Jadar River Valley in western Serbia has the potential to become home one of the world’s largest lithium mines, supplying 10% of the world’s demand and supporting the neighbouring EU’s digital transition agenda. The Serbian government, therefore, p
Deponie mit giftigem Arsen neben einem Wohngebiet: eine Schweizer Firma bezieht Kupfer von einer umstrittenen Schmelzerei
October 26, 2020
Die Schweizer IXM S.A. lässt bulgarisches Kupfer mit hohem Arsengehalt in einem Schmelzwerk in Namibia verarbeiten und nimmt diesem die ganze Produktion auch wieder ab. Das giftige Arsen wird gemäss Berichten in Zuckersäcken in einer Freiluft-Deponie am Rand einer Kleinstadt gelagert.
How Bulgaria’s Mining Strategy can make the ICT industry more sustainable
May 11, 2020
Bulgaria’s National strategy for development of the mining industry was adopted in 2015 and identifies the country’s great potential to be a regional leader in the mining sector. However, before this can happen, the Strategy must be revised to take new sustainability standards, market factors, and environmental stressors into account.
Trading profit for health: exploring Bosnia’s toxic relationship with coal
December 6, 2019
Source: Trading profit for health: exploring Bosnia’s toxic relationship with coal
A hydro-powered Bitcoin boom in Georgia
November 4, 2019
How hydroelectric dams are powering cryptocurrency mining on the eastern edge of Europe. Ed Butler travels to Georgia to visit the Bitcoin mines benefiting from cheap electricity and tax benefits.
Minerals mining and supply chains
October 24, 2019
Global demand for minerals and other critical raw materials is intensified by the just transition to renewable energy and the digital transformation agenda. Therefore sustainable supply chains of minerals are fundamental to addressing the climate crisis and the Covid-19 crisis that humanity is facing today. The European Union needs to innovate and find solutions to achieve its circular economy and resource use reduction objectives and to meet the demand of EU’s industry and consumers, while still protecting communities and nature threatened by mining.
Expansion of largest coal mine in Romania stopped, following Bankwatch court case
October 23, 2019
Bucharest – A Bucharest court blocked the expansion of Rosia, the largest coal mine in Romania located in Gorj county, following a legal challenge to the mine’s environmental permit lodged by Bankwatch Romania.
Śląski górnik zbuduje farmy wiatrowe? Jest pomysł na wyrwę po węglu
August 10, 2019
Region górniczy dostawcą komponentów do farm wiatrowych i kuźnią specjalistów od ich budowy? Branża wiatrowa chce wspomóc transformację Śląska. Śląski górnik zbuduje farmy wiatrowe? Jest pomysł na wyrwę po węglu
