Indigenous Rights

🌱 How are Indigenous peoples impacted by the energy transition? Indigenous peoples are particularly strongly affected by transition mining. According to the UN, over half of the “transition materials [are] located on or near land where Indigenous people live”. Moreover, “85% of […] lithium extracti

🌱 How does the mine violate Indigenous Peoples’ rights? One of the world’s largest known deposits of lithium is located at Thacker Pass in Nevada, USA. Currently, the construction of an 18000-acre (or 72.8 km2) mining project is ongoing at the site. Lithium Americas plans to extract large quantitie

🌱 What international obligations are there? Broadly speaking, governments and companies must uphold “Indigenous Peoples’ rights in line with international standards including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the ILO Convention 169 Indigenous and Tribal

🌱 How does mining impact Indigenous Peoples’ rights? Indigenous Peoples are particularly strongly affected by transition mining. Mining “impose[s] burdens such as land dispossession, biodiversity loss, surface water pollution, livelihood loss and soil degradation” on Indigenous Peoples.[i] Notably,

🌱 Does mining pose a threat to Indigenous Peoples? With “54% of energy transition metals and minerals […] on or near Indigenous Peoples’ territories”, an energy transition without involving or impacting Indigenous Peoples is not possible. Historically, mining “has always posed severe risks for Indi

🌱 What is cassiterite? Cassiterite is a tin ore, and it is considered critical for the energy transition. Cassiterite is used in lithium-ion batteries, the coatings of solar panels, and as solder for electronics in wind turbines. Due to the high demand for it, cassiterite is referred to as “black g