A recent study led by researchers from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), and the non-profit conservation organization Re:wild has revealed that the threat of mining to the great ape population in Africa has been vastly underestimated. The study, published in Science Advances, highlights the impact of rising demand for critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements on the habitat of great apes in Africa. The surge in mining activities is leading to deforestation of tropical rainforests, which are home to many species, including gorillas, bonobos, and chimpanzees. The researchers estimate that more than one-third of the entire great ape population in Africa, nearly 180,000 individuals, are at risk due to mining activities.
Using data on operational and preoperational mining sites in 17 African nations, the researchers defined buffer zones to account for direct impacts such as habitat destruction and indirect impacts related to increased human activity near mining sites. These activities, such as building new roads and infrastructure, lead to increased hunting, habitat loss, and disease transmission risks for great apes. By integrating data on great ape density distribution, the researchers identified areas where mining and high ape densities overlapped, indicating regions where the threat to apes is most severe. The study found that West African countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Guinea have the largest overlaps of high ape density and mining areas, with Guinea being particularly affected.
In Guinea, over 23,000 chimpanzees, representing up to 83% of the country’s ape population, could be directly or indirectly impacted by mining activities. The researchers also found a significant overlap between mining areas and critical habitat regions, where strict environmental regulations are in place. While international benchmarks like the IFC Performance Standard 6 impose regulations on companies operating in critical habitat zones, many lack robust species baseline data required to inform mitigation efforts. The researchers emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure transparency in mining operations and minimize the impact on great apes and their habitats.
Short-term offset plans developed by mining companies often fail to adequately compensate for the long-term impacts of mining on great apes. These impacts, which extend beyond the boundaries of mining projects and are difficult to quantify, are rarely considered and mitigated by companies. Compensation schemes are typically based on inaccurate assessments of impacts and are designed to last only as long as the mining projects are active, whereas the impacts on great apes are often permanent. The researchers stress the need for mining companies to focus on avoiding impacts on great apes as much as possible, with offsetting as a last resort.
The study calls for a shift in the approach to mining activities to avoid jeopardizing biodiversity and exacerbating climate change. While transitioning to cleaner energy sources is essential, it must be done in a way that does not harm biodiversity and critical habitats. The researchers urge companies, lenders, and nations to recognize the value of leaving some regions untouched to mitigate climate change and prevent future epidemics. By promoting transparency, collaboration, and responsible mining practices, the impact of mining on great apes and their habitats in Africa can be minimized, ensuring the survival of these iconic species.
