Critical Minerals Boom Fuels Water Scarcity, Health Crises and Calls for Global Regulation

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health reported that mining lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare-earths depletes water and exposes communities to toxic heavy metals. In 2024, extracting 240,000 tonnes of lithium used about 456 billion litres of water, while rare-earth production generated roughly 700 million tonnes of waste. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 64 % lack basic water, 72 % near mines report skin disease, and 56 % of women and girls face gynecological problems.

The Guardian

Demand from electric vehicles and AI has surged. The International Energy Agency recorded a 30 % jump in lithium demand in 2024 and projects a nine-fold increase by 2040. Africa holds roughly 30 % of global critical-mineral reserves, while the lithium triangle of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile supplies a large share of worldwide lithium. In Chile’s Atacama desert, mining consumes up to 65 % of regional water.

The Guardian

Contaminated rivers in the DRC are linked to skin disease, reproductive problems and infant mortality. In Bolivia’s Uyuni salt flats, water loss has crippled quinoa farming; Chile’s Atacama lagoons are drying, threatening agriculture. Families near mines often walk over a mile for water or abandon homes, deepening poverty. Child labour in cobalt mines and cancer rates in Chile’s Antofagasta region illustrate broader health burdens.

The Conversation

The authors say voluntary compliance is insufficient and call for legally binding international and domestic due-diligence, stricter waste controls and independent monitoring. They propose global mineral-sourcing standards to prevent “sacrifice zones.”

The Conversation

Anti-mining protests have intensified in Argentina and Chile, and Indonesia’s nickel export ban has spurred challenges. Thea Riofrancos notes a rise in militant protests; Peter Wooders warns mineral-rich countries must weigh benefits against environmental and social costs.

The Guardian

Epidemiological data are limited; demand forecasts vary between nine-fold and eight-fold lithium growth.

The Guardian

• “Critical minerals are quickly becoming the oil of the 21st century,” — Kaveh Madani, Director, UNU-INWEH

The Guardian

• “As the report highlights, there is an urgent need to move from voluntary compliance mechanisms to mandatory international and domestic due-diligence standards.” — Abraham Nunbogu, Lead Author, UNU-INWEH report

The Guardian

• “We have seen anti-mining protests becoming more frequent and more militant around the world over the past two decades,” — Thea Riofrancos, Political Scientist, Providence College

The Guardian

• “A lot of the challenges in developing critical minerals remain the same as for any mineral,” — Peter Wooders, Co-founder, Geneva Platform

In the critical mineral race, UN body highlights tools for fairer deals

UNECE’s Resource Management Week (27 April) and the G7 summit in Evian (June) will discuss mineral access, supply-chain transparency and the UN Framework Classification. Proposals include a mineral trust and binding due-diligence laws.

In the critical mineral race, UN body highlights tools for fairer deals