Skip to main content

The noise pollution, habitat loss and disease spillover that can come with mining could threaten chimpanzee populations in some countries in Africa

Ari Wid/Shutterstock

More than a third of the great apes living in Africa are under threat from the booming demand for minerals that are critical to the creation of green energy technologies, such as electric vehicles.

Africa is home to around one sixth of the world’s remaining forests, with the habitat found in countries such as Ghana, Gabon and Uganda. The continent also houses four great ape species: chimpanzees, bonobos and two species of gorilla.

But many of these great apes live in regions eyed by mining firms as potential sites to extract commodities. For instance, more than 50 per cent of the world’s reserves of cobalt and manganese are found in Africa, and 22 per cent of its graphite.

To assess the scale of the threat to great ape populations, Jessica Junker at the non-profit conservation group Re:wild in Austin, Texas, and her colleagues overlaid the location of operational and planned mining sites across 17 African countries with available data on the density and distribution of ape populations.  

The team drew a 50 kilometre “buffer zone” around mining sites, to account both for their direct impacts on ape populations, such as noise pollution, habitat loss and disease spillover, as well as indirect disturbances, such as the construction of new service roads and infrastructure. 

In total, 180,000 great apes – just over one-third of the entire continental population – could be threatened by mining activities, the researchers found. 

See also  Great bustard gets spruced up for a show at London's Natural History Museum

The West African countries Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali and Guinea saw the largest overlap between ape populations and mining sites. In Guinea, 83 per cent of the ape population could be affected by mining, the study finds.  

The team only considered industrial mining projects, says Junker. The threat could be even larger once the impact of artisanal mines, where miners usually work in rudimentary and often hazardous conditions, is considered. 

Cobalt, manganese and graphite are all used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles. Other materials found in these countries, including bauxite, platinum, copper, graphite and lithium, are used to power green technologies, such as hydrogen, wind turbines and solar panels.

Junker says companies should stop mining in areas important for apes and instead focus on recycling these critical materials from waste. “There’s huge potential in reusing metals,” she says. “We simply need to consume more sustainably. Then it will be possible to leave at least some of the areas intact that are very important for great apes.”  

She also calls for mining companies to make public biodiversity assessments of potential mining sites. “Greater transparency is the first step.” 

Topics:

Source link

Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.

36 Comments

  • Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. I appreciate the honesty and authenticity you bring to every post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

  • Lou Brown says:

    Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up amazing Excellent job

  • Your blog is a testament to your expertise and dedication to your craft. I’m constantly impressed by the depth of your knowledge and the clarity of your explanations. Keep up the amazing work!

  • Leon Labadie says:

    Your blog is a breath of fresh air in the often mundane world of online content. Your unique perspective and engaging writing style never fail to leave a lasting impression. Thank you for sharing your insights with us.

  • Your blog is a shining example of excellence in content creation. I’m continually impressed by the depth of your knowledge and the clarity of your writing. Thank you for all that you do.

  • Usually I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very compelled me to take a look at and do it Your writing style has been amazed me Thank you very nice article

  • Your blog is a beacon of light in the often murky waters of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Keep up the amazing work!

  • you are in reality a just right webmaster The site loading velocity is incredible It seems that you are doing any unique trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have performed a wonderful task on this topic

  • helloI really like your writing so a lot share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL I need an expert in this house to unravel my problem May be that is you Taking a look ahead to see you

  • helloI like your writing very so much proportion we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL I need an expert in this space to unravel my problem May be that is you Taking a look forward to see you

  • Your passion for your subject matter shines through in every post. It’s clear that you genuinely care about sharing knowledge and making a positive impact on your readers. Kudos to you!

  • Stan Hahn says:

    Wow wonderful blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is great as well as the content

  • of course like your website but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand I will certainly come back again

  • I’ve been following your blog for some time now, and I’m consistently blown away by the quality of your content. Your ability to tackle complex topics with ease is truly admirable.

  • Ole Pollich says:

    Thanks I have recently been looking for info about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far However what in regards to the bottom line Are you certain in regards to the supply

  • Fantastic site Lots of helpful information here I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And of course thanks for your effort

  • My brother recommended I might like this web site He was totally right This post actually made my day You cannt imagine just how much time I had spent for this information Thanks

  • Hi Neat post There is a problem along with your website in internet explorer would test this IE still is the market chief and a good section of other folks will pass over your magnificent writing due to this problem

  • Fantastic site Lots of helpful information here I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And of course thanks for your effort

  • Cole Murray says:

    Somebody essentially help to make significantly articles Id state This is the first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to make this actual post incredible Fantastic job

  • I was recommended this website by my cousin I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble You are amazing Thanks

  • Buy THCa Flower Ounces For Just $50 at https://callmethca.com

  • Hello i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to Return the favore Im trying to find things to improve my web siteI suppose its ok to use some of your ideas

  • Wonderful beat I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site how could i subscribe for a blog web site The account aided me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

  • Hello Neat post Theres an issue together with your site in internet explorer would check this IE still is the marketplace chief and a large element of other folks will leave out your magnificent writing due to this problem

  • Lowell Welch says:

    I have been browsing online more than three hours today yet I never found any interesting article like yours It is pretty worth enough for me In my view if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before

  • I loved as much as youll receive carried out right here The sketch is tasteful your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike

  • Buy THCa Flower Ounces For Just $50 at https://callmethca.com

  • Excellent blog here Also your website loads up very fast What web host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • Optimism that brightens up the workplace like a sunny day.

  • Its like you read my mind You appear to know so much about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit but instead of that this is excellent blog A fantastic read Ill certainly be back

  • Fantastic site A lot of helpful info here Im sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious And naturally thanks on your sweat

  • Wow wonderful blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is great as well as the content

  • I was recommended this website by my cousin I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty You are wonderful Thanks

  • Hi i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to Return the favore Im attempting to find things to enhance my siteI suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas

  • Rick Braun says:

    Wow superb blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is magnificent as well as the content

Leave a Reply

https://coburnforsenate.com/
https://mts-mqtebuireng.sch.id/
https://hotelarjuna.com/
http://espanahijos.com/
https://kimkartoharjo.madiunkota.go.id/
https://sites.google.com/view/oceania-harvard-sig/about
https://sites.google.com/view/enigmaths/home
https://sites.google.com/view/microdosingpsychedelics/home
https://sites.google.com/view/braddockgrease/home
https://sites.google.com/view/donaldgrasse/home
https://sites.google.com/view/cleanwharfeilkley/home
https://sites.google.com/view/uptownchristmastrees/
https://sites.google.com/view/schev-tempsite/home
https://lewesbonfire2018.blogspot.com/
https://moviemunn.blogspot.com/
https://runopolis.blogspot.com/
https://bestonlinedrugstore.blogspot.com/
https://hambos2novel.blogspot.com/
https://federasty.blogspot.com/
https://business-writer.blogspot.com/
https://changetheagenda.blogspot.com/
https://mschangart.weebly.com/
https://igleceldom.weebly.com/
https://tylercoverdale.weebly.com/
https://compassionatestanford.weebly.com/
https://laurelryohe.weebly.com/
https://uwmicrophiles.weebly.com/
https://roll4rock.weebly.com/
https://travellerchris.weebly.com/
https://gwynllyw.weebly.com/
https://billsantiago.weebly.com/
https://latinocaucus.weebly.com/
https://communitiesconnectingforchildren.weebly.com/
https://redmoonpathways.weebly.com/
https://urangcianjur.weebly.com/
https://vtsbl.weebly.com/
https://rickmountshootingschool.weebly.com/
https://forthamiltoncommunityclub.weebly.com/
https://edsupportgroup.weebly.com/
https://susans-words2.weebly.com/
https://kadiehenderson.weebly.com/
https://parmatours.weebly.com/
https://tractgames.weebly.com/
https://hazratkhateeb-e-azam.weebly.com/
https://financialsupport.weebly.com/
https://debraperrone.weebly.com/
https://barcelonaplanetfilmfestival.weebly.com/
https://aplusc.weebly.com/
mikatoto
SENGTOTO
SENGTOTO
SITUS EVOSTOTO
LOGIN EVOSTOSO