More than half of Australia’s critical minerals mines lie on Indigenous land: Mongabay

Australia’s critical mineral policies must consider the rights and interests of First Nations peoples throughout a project’s life cycle.

• The global energy transition has increased demand for the minerals needed in the production of batteries, solar panels and other renewable energy technology.
• In a new study, researchers found that 57.8% of critical mineral projects in Australia lie within formally recognised Indigenous lands, or 79.2% if land subject to claims of native title that haven’t yet been determined are included.
• Historically, Australia’s First Nations haven’t received fair compensation or benefit sharing when investors have found resources in their territories, sources told Mongabay.
• The paper’s authors, Indigenous organisations and environmental campaigners say that critical mineral policies must consider the rights and interests of First Nations peoples throughout a project’s life cycle.

The study, published in Energy Research & Social Science, focused on 14 commodities, including 12 critical minerals such as cobalt and lithium.

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