Study Reveals Mining Infrastructure Causes 34x Forest Loss in Africa
A new study led by the University of Sheffield indicates that for each hectare of active mining site in Africa, 34 hectares of forest are lost to supporting infrastructure. Between 2001 and 2020, mining activities converted 187,000 hectares of forest into mines, primarily driven by the demand for minerals essential for green energy technologies.
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The University of Sheffield-led study estimates that mining activities in Africa resulted in a loss of 187,000 hectares of forest between 2001 and 2020. For every hectare of active mine site, an additional 34 hectares of forest are destroyed due to infrastructure such as roads and housing.
The demand for minerals like cobalt and copper, critical for renewable technologies, is projected to increase 40-fold by 2040. Researchers highlight that existing environmental assessments underestimate mining's actual impact, emphasizing the need for zero-deforestation supply chains. This study underscores the critical balance required between mineral extraction and environmental conservation in the face of escalating global demand.
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