The president ordered an investigation into auto technology that could track U.S. drivers, part of a broader effort to stop E.V. and other smart-car imports from China.
Okay that was off the top of my head, but that doesn’t mean lithium mining isn’t harmful to both people and the planet, and that it won’t result in more exploitation and abuse as time goes on and demand for batteries grows. The location and specific mineral being mined doesn’t really matter. Human rights abuses arent the only thing to worry about, either. My sources focus on lithium, but just like coal mining and oil extraction; the lithium, cobalt, graphite, etc. mining that is necessary to support battery production is also extremely damaging to the environment.
You’re probably thinking of Cobalt. Which battery manufacturers have gotten away from for the reason you cite. Most Lithium comes from Australia.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/chart-countries-produce-lithium-world/
https://insideevs.com/news/372133/91-of-lithium-three-countries/
Okay that was off the top of my head, but that doesn’t mean lithium mining isn’t harmful to both people and the planet, and that it won’t result in more exploitation and abuse as time goes on and demand for batteries grows. The location and specific mineral being mined doesn’t really matter. Human rights abuses arent the only thing to worry about, either. My sources focus on lithium, but just like coal mining and oil extraction; the lithium, cobalt, graphite, etc. mining that is necessary to support battery production is also extremely damaging to the environment.
https://www.dw.com/en/lithium-mining-in-africa-reveals-dark-side-of-green-energy/a-67413188
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/01/18/the-paradox-of-lithium/
https://www.mining-technology.com/analyst-comment/lithium-mining-negative-environmental-impact/?cf-view