Lithium extraction in Zimbabwe is precipitating a socio-ecological disaster for communities in resource-rich areas. In Bikita district of Masvingo Province lithium also known as white gold, has become a dark curse for people living in communal areas.
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) produced a documentary unearthing the externalized costs of lithium extraction, capturing striking visuals, community voices, and a nuanced narration of lived realities.
This thought-provoking documentary delves into the pressing issues surrounding Lithium mining at Bikita mineral and its profound impact on the host community. From rights violations and land grabbing to water and dust pollution, the community’s struggles are brought to the fore through captivating visuals.
Witness the heartbreaking stories and courageous voices of affected communities share their lived social experiences. Discover the alarming consequences of mine waste being dumped into nearby dams, the disruptive noise and dust pollution caused by dynamite explosions, and the displacement of communities from their ancestral homes.
Zimbabwe stands on a pedestal in natural resources endowment, a global leader in lithium deposits rankling 6th and 1st in the continent, sitting on millions of deposits of the mineral that is a key component in the green transition.
The surge in global demand for electric cars, powered by lithium batteries, has increased the demand for minerals such as copper, lithium, graphite, and cobalt. The rapid development of the lithium-ion battery market in the world has accelerated the consumption of lithium resources.
The documentary Critical to Who poignantly lays bare the externalized cost of lithium exploration. It reveals the labour injustices facing mine workers. It critically unravels the lack of a strategic exploitation model for the sustainable extraction of natural resources.
It simply is a must-watch for advocates of good governance, sustainable development and natural resource governance, community activists, media, and ordinary people alike. Amplifying community voices the documentary validates the advocacy works that push for dignity and justice for communities in mining areas.