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As an environmental news organization, Mongabay closely tracks the social and ecological impacts of mining. Beyond raising awareness and inspiring other media outlets to cover this topic and regularly republish and reference Mongabay, the news Mongabay produces often leads to real-world impact by exposing the harmful practices of powerful people and organizations, compelling them to take accountability for their actions.
Illegal gold mining along the Cenepa River
Dredges and illegal miners near the community of Tutino, Peru. Image by Luis Taijin.
For instance, in late 2023, Mongabay shed light on the devastating environmental and social impacts of illegal gold mining along the Cenepa River, which borders Peru and Ecuador. We observed 70 sites of illegal gold mining but also learned of the plight of the Indigenous Awajún communities, who were threatened with labor and sexual exploitation as a result of non-stop mining operations.
Following our coverage, Dante Sejekam, president of the Organization for the Development of the Cenepa Border Communities, contacted Mongabay to say that the army and police had informed him they would enter the area. He also shared that Mongabay Latam’s publication had been used in his meeting with the authorities. Since then, three raids in the area covered by Mongabay Latam successfully destroyed a substantial amount of mining equipment, curtailing the ongoing exploitation.
Additionally, Congresswoman Ruth Luque shared and commented on our story on her X account: “Story from @MongabayLatam details harsh reality in Cenepa Illegal mining destroys the lives of exploited indigenous women and girls. This dramatic situation is also experienced by indigenous people in the districts of Nieva and Río Santiago in Condorcanqui, in addition to AIDS”. Mongabay’s commitment to uncovering these harsh realities brought immediate relief to the affected communities and continued influencing policy and enforcement strategies to combat illegal mining.
The high cost of clean energy and transition minerals
Komanga, 28, collecting water pooled on a dirt road on the way to Maniry, Madagascar. Image by Malavika Vyawahare/Mongabay.
As more countries pursue alternatives to fossil fuels, Mongabay is increasingly reporting on how “clean energy” transitions affect communities and wildlife in mineral-rich regions. Our coverage has highlighted how Indigenous people, local communities and fragile ecosystems often pay the price for the world’s growing demand for transition minerals like nickel, graphite, copper, lithium and cobalt. Recent examples of coverage include:
- Rapid growth of Bolivia’s lithium industry creating new problems for local communities
- Global cobalt rush drives toxic toll near DRC mines
- Madagascar: What happens to villagers when a graphite mine comes knocking?
- Landslide in Philippines mining town kills nearly 100, prompts calls for action
- Impunity and pollution abound in DRC mining along the road to the energy transition
- Java rice farmers suffer crop failure as copper mine pollutes local irrigation
- Nickel mine threatens Philippines biodiversity hotspot on Sibuyan Island (analysis)
Mining rights controversy in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A camp in Banamwesi forest, DRC for the community monitoring team. Image courtesy of a local source.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mongabay reported on a Canadian-South African mining company, Alphamin Bisie, facing accusations of acquiring mining rights without proper consultation and illegal actions in the country’s war-torn Walikale territory. There, Indigenous communities claimed their land was being occupied, while the company denied the allegations and remained silent towards the communities.
This lack of transparency fuels residents’ fears that the ongoing conflict is masking questionable mining practices. Following Mongabay’s interview and probing questions to Alpahmin’s consultation agency, the mining firm’s managing director told Mongabay that he would tell his community development team to speak with community representatives.
The impact of Mongabay’s reporting on Alphamin Bisie extended beyond direct corporate engagement. After publication, a meeting was set up between the company and local landowners from Banamwesi and Motondo in eastern DRC. According to a civil society source, this was a first for Alphamin in the region facilitated by official channels. Also, the Business and Human Rights Resource Center (BHRRC), which tracks the human rights record of over 10,000 companies worldwide, republished Mongabay’s article. BHRRC also logged the information Mongabay made available into their tracker on the parent company (Alphamin Resources).
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About Mongabay
Mongabay is a nonprofit environmental science and conservation news platform focused on providing cutting-edge independent journalism from Nature’s frontline. We pride ourselves on producing reporting that has substantial, tangible impacts around the world.