Study: Mining Minerals to Support Renewable Energy is Wrecking the Environment

[rangerrebew]

Study: Mining Minerals to Support Renewable Energy is Wrecking the Environment
16 hours ago Eric Worrall 
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

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2025)

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.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/06/15/study-mining-minerals-to-support-renewable-energy-is-wrecking-the-environment/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

There's that pesky less-than-small footprint once again.

[Bigun]

I was driving on I-45 Saturday and witnessed a steady string of windmill blades being transported. Why is that Gregg Abbott?

[DefiantMassRINO]

But, it's wrecking the environment in backyards of $h!thole countries, and that's what's important to limousine liberal NIMBY's.

Sure, Not In My Backyard, but they are awfully silent about other peoples' backyards.

[Cyber Liberty]

But, it's wrecking the environment in backyards of $h!thole countries, and that's what's important to limousine liberal NIMBY's.

Sure, Not In My Backyard, but they are awfully silent about other peoples' backyards.

A Lithium mine was recently approved by my County Supervisors in AZ.  It's a strip mine.

[jafo2010]

The obtuse people out there pushing the alternative energy sources while embracing the NIMBY mindset are utterly stupid people.  STUPID!!!  They have none of the answers, are the root of many of our problems today.  These same fools are the reason our cities are rotting to the core.  They are the same reason we have 50 million illegal invading aliens in this nation, soon to seize control of it if we do not get them out of our country.  All one need do is remember what happened in Jordan when they allowed a large number of Palestinians into their country after one of the wars with Israel.  They almost brought the country down.

These same illegal invading aliens are out on our streets demonstrating, waving Mexican flags, and people here think they are what, noble?  Righteous?  Hell no, they are a threat, embracing total anarchy and the collapse of the USA.  What Trump has done in LA is what should be done, needs to be done.  Only difference, I would order the military to shoot anyone throwing bricks, concrete, or solid objects that could injure those in uniform.

The lunacy that the Democommies have fostered in the last few years must meet with force.  Criminal behavior is embraced by the Dems because so many of their constituents are criminals.  Literally.  It is always about votes/power, and money.  This is why felons should not ever have the right to vote. 

[Bigun]

A Lithium mine was recently approved by my County Supervisors in AZ.  It's a strip mine.

I'm sure it will soon be a tourist attraction in your county.

 

[rangerrebew]

I'm sure it will soon be a tourist attraction in your county.

 

With a larger-than-life statue of Al Gore at the entrance?

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Everything "wrecks the environment". you can't take a  shit without stepping on a butterfly somewhere. Meanwhile, trees and grass still grow, critters seem as abundant as ever.

[Bigun]

Everything "wrecks the environment". you can't take a  shit without stepping on a butterfly somewhere. Meanwhile, trees and grass still grow, critters seem as abundant as ever.

People survived on this planet for a LONG time without the aid of government Nannys.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

People survived on this planet for a LONG time without the aid of government Nannys.

That's right. There are localized areas with environmental issues, sure. But it seems to me that invasive species causes more issues than pollution. "Wrecking the environment" to me is just rhetoric.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I was driving on I-45 Saturday and witnessed a steady string of windmill blades being transported. Why is that Gregg Abbott?

Abbott is All-In with Wind.  In fact, he received this award the week before not a windmill was turning in the state of Texas during that horrific cold snap.

And to my knowledge he has never acknowledged that all those thousands of windmills was a mistake

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Receives Tri Global Energy's Wind Leadership Award
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/texas-gov-greg-abbott-receives-tri-global-energys-wind-leadership-award-301225238.html

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I saw a facebook video, some dude in TX got a $700 electric bill. I'm not sure who is managing the electrical system there but they're not doing a good job. Doesn't matter the party. And that happened to me in December 2022 (I think).

[Fishrrman]

The worst use of a relatively scarce substance such as lithium is to churn out millions of electric car batteries that will be quickly used up and become tons of waste that will have to be buried or recycled, IF recycling is possible.

Add to that the environmental damage involved in the mining and production of such batteries.

The world will need that lithium for better uses in the future...

[berdie]

I saw a facebook video, some dude in TX got a $700 electric bill. I'm not sure who is managing the electrical system there but they're not doing a good job. Doesn't matter the party. And that happened to me in December 2022 (I think).

Depends on the size of the house. My brother lives in a fairly large house and they seldom have a bill below $500. It's typically much higher.
And the house is always very cool and very warm when needed.

Now on the other hand, I live in a small house. I'll put on extra clothes when needed in the winter and get a little warm in the summer. Heck. if you go outside for a while and then come back in...it feels cold.

Too much depends on circumstances too make a broad statement.