Energy Transition Minerals – Putting communities first for an inclusive Feminist Future”
Background:
On the 5-11th Feb 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI), hosted in Cape Town with the likes of community activists, environmental activists, researchers; civil society organizations and the various church leaders where a forum of innovative ideas and a Launchpad for collective action was created. The theme for this year under which all discussions were centered around was “Energy Transition Minerals – Putting communities first for an inclusive Feminist Future”with the tone from the previous AMIs being carried right through the Indaba in that “people first, not profits”. The AMI envisions a mining sector where the voices and needs of the mining-affected communities are heard and principles of justice and inclusivity are key parts of the sector. The 2024 theme encapsulates the aspirations of a continent that yearns for a transformed extractive economy that prioritizes women and marginalized communities (Concept note 2024).
From some of its past resolutions, the Indaba demands: zero harm to children in mining and to communities as well as the Prosecution of perpetrators of child labor. The indaba also resolves to support youth activism and participation in politics to enhance the green economy and conduct Gender Impact Assessments of the just energy transition. The AMI remains a key tool and voice to bringing change in the Africa we want! Reimagining a decolonized mining industry that embodies inclusivity is where the journey starts. We as All Africa Conference of Churches representing the church were privileged to be part of this Indaba and felt the responsibility to amplify the voice of the church in these matters and in the feminist future.
How the AMI has intentionally placed women at the forefront is truly commendable. Women are seen and given the opportunity to not only lament but be key role players in achieving a just mining sector. How women were leading discussions that challenged the status quo and norms that have marginalized them. The information sharing and networking was of great value to me as I not only met brilliant minds; but I was also educated about the different impacts the mining industry has on the different communities and how the church can play a key role in helping communities fight the injustices.
Community stories:
To add on this inclusivity by the Indaba; we heard from the children themselves from the various communities affected by the mining sector and the impact of Child Labor on them. Though representation was low, their voice was heard loudly so! These children have taken upon themselves to advocate for their rights and be champions of climate justice as this impacts them the most. They cannot access good health because their health is threatened by mining related air and water pollution. They are exploited sexually and face abuse which results in social stigmatization and health consequences. The children also stressed that as an African child, they need to be educated in order to succeed in life and the mines are not offering this opportunity for them instead they suffer hard labor and are exploited. Malnutrition is another issue highlighted; in some mining arears people produce food from contaminated soil and the water is filled with toxic mining waste. In all this suffering and injustice, the voice of the child is not lost and hope remains for the African Child! They stresses how much their voice cannot be lost and need the utmost protection because of their vulnerability.
Some of the other real life stories highlighted by some of the communities we heard from communities in Zimbabwe and Zambia:
Leonard Mabasa from Buera Residence Trust reflected on the Buera community and impact thereof. Though mining contributes significantly to their local economy growth and communities stand to gain jobs and infrastructure development will benefit some of the local businesses. Highlighted the positives of the mining industry on the community where migration from fossil fuels to clean sources means more mining activities. There is still a lot of issues with the mining sector. The establishing of mines displaced a lot of families have to relocate, overcrowded families and children dropped out of school. One family also had to exhume their buried family members and rebury their members which is a traumatic experience for these families. Roads are being destroyed by the high movement of trucks from these companies. There is a need for more dialogue between community and mining companies to ensure responsible mining is done in the rural areas and .
Another reflection was from Liness Chama from a manganese mining community in Mansa, Zambia. In her community, they just saw a company come and started mining there with no engagement with the community. Her village has a lot of trenches and unfortunately for her house was nearest to the biggest trench. She lost a lot of her cassava field and therefore her income as she depended on cassava growing. During the rainy season the water fills up those trenches and diseases come out of those trenches, pollution as well and this negatively impacts them and the environment. What was worse is where she stayed, the mine workers would come use her backyards for sanitation and she feared for her children’s safety. Care for nature Zambia was one organization that assisted her and empowered her on her rights as a community member and helped raise awareness on environmental care.
Another key tone throughout the Indaba was that of Environmental advocacy and Climate justice. Mining pollution; Greenhouse Gas emissions; Erosion; Sinkholes; Contamination of soil are such examples of the mining impacts on the environment. Organizations like The Green Connection where present to conscientise people on the effect of government decisions that pose risks to ocean health and risks to livelihoods. The Green Connection believes that empowering people to participate in decision making about their environment is the only way that truly sustainable development can take place (greenconnection.org). Having such advocates was truly beneficial in empowering us and being available for conversation on how societies can get involved and ensure responsible mining takes place.
Call to the Church:
The church too, as the conscience of society, has a critical role to serve in this space. Rev. E. Chikoya from The Council of Churches in Zambia also highlighted this important role by reminding the Indaba that there is enough resources to meet human need and not human greed. As the church, we ought to speak truth to power and speak to the moral compass of societies.
These societies make up the church and the church needs to continue to advocate for human livelihoods; environmental justice and children’s rights. Speaking out against environmental destruction and teaching on the importance of conservation are some of the examples that the church needs to continue to invest in. Partnering with companies that are only about making profit and not safeguarding livelihoods should be unacceptable of the church.
The church needs to continuously ask itself “Have we been good stewards of the earth???” and reflect on how to better change the current destruction of the earth! Where there is human greed (which is the case with some of the mining companies), the church needs to not conform to these worldly standards but remember that we are called to a higher standard, in partnership with God for a sustainable environment.
Reflections by Lulama Ntutu
Anglican Youth of Southern Africa/Green Anglicans/Climate Yes !
(AACC delegates: Claudina from Namibia, Rev. Maulidi Baxton from Malawi; Dr T. Gumbo from Zimbabwe; Jacque Heymans from South Africa; Brian Muguya from Uganda and Lulama Ntuta from South Africa)
