Summary by Grace Lowes
In a recent book talk, journalist Christopher Pollon explored the complexities of modern mining and its role in the clean energy transition, as detailed in his book Pitfall: The Race to Mine the World’s Most Vulnerable Places. Pollon’s discussion, enriched by commentary from mining law expert Sara Ghebremusse, provided a stark view of the environmental, social, and human rights impacts tied to the metals essential for renewable energy infrastructure.
Drawing from his family’s mining history in Timmins, Ontario, Pollon offered a unique perspective on the industry’s evolution. His family’s experience reflects both the promise and the peril inherent in mining—a critical income source for an estimated 40 million artisanal miners worldwide. Despite advances in extraction technology, many miners continue to work in precarious conditions, particularly in the global south.
The Clean Energy Paradox
In his talk, Pollon highlighted a central paradox in the transition to renewable energy: while the global shift toward clean energy demands vast quantities of metals like copper, lithium, and nickel, mining these resources often brings severe social and environmental costs for vulnerable communities. These metals are crucial for renewable energy infrastructure, including solar panels and electric vehicles, which aim to reduce carbon emissions. Yet, as Pollon emphasized, meeting the demand for these resources requires intensified mining practices that can harm the very environments renewable technologies promise to protect.
A striking example Pollon discussed was lithium mining in Chile’s Atacama Desert. This extraction process consumes substantial amounts of water, disrupting delicate ecosystems and impacting Indigenous communities that depend on these resources.
Sacrifice Zones
To further illustrate mining’s often detrimental impact, Pollon introduced the concept of “sacrifice zones”, regions where local communities endure lasting environmental devastation to supply resources for distant markets. These zones capture the harsh reality faced by areas that yield precious metals yet bear long-term environmental risks with few local benefits. Pollon pointed to tensions in places like Papua New Guinea, where mining activities continue despite strong community opposition. This disconnect between mining companies and local communities reveals a pressing need for “social license”—the ongoing approval of local communities based on trust, transparency, and meaningful consultation. True social license requires that mining companies engage with and earn the consent of those most affected by their operations, ensuring that communities see tangible benefits and protections.
Canada’s Role and the Legal Landscape
Ghebremusse’s insights added depth to the discussion, shedding light on Canada’s significant role in global mining and its ethical responsibilities on the world stage. As home to nearly half of the world’s mining companies, Canada has an obligation to uphold human rights and environmental standards. However, Ghebremusse pointed out gaps in Canada’s regulatory framework that often allow companies to evade accountability. She critiqued the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA) and the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), noting their lack of enforcement power, which limits their effectiveness in protecting communities impacted by Canadian-owned mining operations abroad.
Exploring Alternatives and Mining’s Future
Looking to the future, Pollon discussed innovative approaches that could mitigate mining’s toll, including reducing dependency on certain metals through alternative technologies and moderating consumption. He prompted the audience to consider what reducing non-essential mining might look like, asking, “What if gold mining ceased altogether?” Pollon shared that 90% of extracted gold is used primarily for non-essential purposes, such as jewelry. Some companies, like Pandora, have already committed to sourcing only recycled metals, setting an example of a more sustainable approach to resource use. Pollon argued that if similar practices were widely adopted, they could significantly reduce mining’s environmental impact and address human rights concerns associated with extraction.
Pollon’s talk and Ghebremusse’s critical legal insights underscored the urgent need for a balanced approach to mining within the clean energy transition. Building a green energy economy should not come at the expense of communities bearing the environmental and social costs of extraction. Instead, a sustainable path forward requires a collective effort to reimagine mining practices—one that embraces accountability, respects human rights, and prioritizes sustainable solutions.





