The cobalt curse of the Congo
Cobalt is a critical energy transition mineral, but its use in batteries and electric vehicles comes at a high price for the Democratic Republic Congo. Oscar Nkala investigates...
14 February, 2024
#MineAlert: Tracking mining applications and licences across Africa.
LATEST #MINEALERT INVESTIGATIONS
SA’s coal lobby pushes back against green transition
Coal lobbying has long been an influential force in South Africa’s politics and economy. Thabo Molelekwa investigates its impacts on green energy investments
19 June, 2023
Zambia tallies the costs of mining for electric batteries
Still reeling from environmental and public health problems caused by lead mining, the country now faces growing manganese demand for electric batteries. Oscar Nkala investigates
16 April, 2024
SA’s coal lobby pushes back against green transition
Coal lobbying has long been an influential force in South Africa’s politics and economy. Thabo Molelekwa investigates its impacts on green energy investments
19 June, 2023
Zambia tallies the costs of mining for electric batteries
Still reeling from environmental and public health problems caused by lead mining, the country now faces growing manganese demand for electric batteries. Oscar Nkala investigates
16 April, 2024
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‘New energy’ rush is stripping DRC’s natural assets
Mining companies cashing in on global demand for cobalt are destroying protected nature reserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jonas Kiriko investigates...
05 February, 2024 -
Pledges roll in for SA’s energy transition
South Africa expects more pledges as COP28 gathers steam, but how far have Western countries come in delivering on previous commitments they made? Thabo Molelekwa investigates...
22 September, 2023 -
The status of SA’s energy transition financing
Much has been made about the US$8.5-billion pledged to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. Thabo Molelekwa investigates where it is...
23 May, 2023 -
A new light on the future of Eskom’s assets
A business coalition in SA’s energy heartland proposes a private take-over of Eskom’s assets – but not everyone agrees with privatising energy production. Andiswa Matikinca reports, with support from the Pulitzer Center...
15 May, 2023 -
Mind the (green skills) gap
SA’s transition to renewable energy is challenged by a shortage of skills development and training. Thabo Molelekwa investigates, with support from the Pulitzer Center...
04 April, 2023 -
Coal-mining web encircles Africa’s oldest game reserve
'Get-rich-quick’ coal prospecting rights threaten ecologically & economically vulnerable areas bordering Hluhluwe-iMfolozi reserve. Tony Carnie investigates for Our Burning Planet...
10 March, 2023 -
Where are Mpumalanga’s new energy projects?
South Africa’s power capital is being left behind in the race for renewable energy generation, reports Andiswa Matikinca...
02 March, 2023 -
Left in the dust for a greener future
Environmentalists and coal-dependent communities say people at the frontline of SA’s energy transition are in the dark about how it will unfold. Thabo Molelekwa speaks to them...
25 January, 2023 -
South Africa’s energy transition rises in the east
Mpumalanga, the province ‘where the sun rises’, takes centre stage in SA’s Just Energy Transition Plan. Yolandi Groenewald unpicks the details...
18 November, 2022 -
Has the DMRE lost control of South Africa’s chrome resources?
SA has some of the world’s largest chrome resources, but regulatory problems are aiding illegal activities in the industry. Andiswa Matikinca investigates...
25 October, 2021 -
‘Homeland’ communities head to court to protect land rights from mining
A High Court case is expected to set a precedent on conflicts between private community ownership rights and commercial mining in the former homelands. Andiswa Matikinca reports...
23 August, 2021 -
New strategies for sustainable closure of mines
An ambitious new government strategy to deal with abandoned mines is welcome but needs more teeth, say those in the know. Andiswa Matikinca reports...
30 July, 2021 -
Deep Trouble: research shows coal is still king
While the world is shifting away from fossil fuels, data on planned new mines indicates the coal mining industry might not be winding down any time soon. Andiswa Matikinca reports...
25 June, 2021 -
Copper mine threatens Zambezi national park
Go-ahead for controversial open-pit copper mine in Lower Zambezi National Park has become a political hot potato in the run-up to Zambian elections. Oscar Nkala investigates...
23 June, 2021 -
Deadly Air: a case about real lives & real people
A landmark court case sees the SA government being sued for the first time for the alleged violation of a Constitutional right to clean air. Andiswa Matikinca reports...
27 May, 2021
TOOLS
#WildEye allows you to track environmental crime across the globe
#PowerTracker allows you to track renewable and coal based energy sources
#MineAlert allows you to track and share mining applications and licences
Track biodiversity threats caused by mining licences across Africa
Use ClimaTracker to track weather changes and how these will affect you
Exposing global environmental crime stories
Track developments in rhino poaching court cases across Southern Africa
Instant access to data on rhino deaths and poaching incidents since 2010
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#MineAlert is a project of Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism, and is based on #GreenAlert, which allows users to track environmental impact assessments in the same way
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