As
China
races
to
control
critical
minerals
around
the
world
to
limit
America’s
influence
and
make
our
country
dependent
on
it,
its
companies
are
engaged
in
atrocities.
After
on-the-ground
engagements
with
local
leaders,
mining
communities,
and
industry
stakeholders,
and
a
review
of
public
reporting,
the
report
finds
that
Chinese
firms
control
roughly
90
percent
of
Zimbabwe’s
mining
operations,
including
key
lithium
assets
critical
to
global
energy
supply
chains.
This
dominance,
enabled
by
corruption
and
weak
governance,
has
led
to
what
the
investigation
describes
as
“unchecked
extractivism”
at
the
expense
of
the
environment
and
local
communities.
“What
we
heard—and
corroborated
through
dozens
of
public
reports—is
a
consistent
story
of
‘unchecked
extractivism’
by
Chinese
companies
at
the
expense
of
the
environment,
local
communities,
and
the
Zimbabwean
people,
and
enabled
by
corruption
and
incapacity
at
all
levels
of
government,”
the
report
reveals.
The
investigation
reports
on
extensive
illicit
activity
tied
to
Chinese
mining
operations,
including
large-scale
smuggling
of
lithium
and
other
valuable
minerals
despite
the
Zimbabwean
government’s
export
bans.
Authorities
have
intercepted
shipments
of
undeclared
lithium
ore,
while
workers
and
community
monitors
described
underreporting
and
concealment
of
high-grade
material.
Zimbabwe
ultimately
moved
to
halt
lithium
concentrate
exports
ahead
of
schedule
in
2026
after
underreporting
and
regulatory
failures
escalated.
The
investigation
also
details
how
workers
in
Chinese-operated
mines
face
dangerous
and
degrading
conditions,
and
work
long
hours
with
low
pay.
There
are
also
credible
accounts
of
physical
abuse;
in
one
instance,
Chinese
mine
managers
tied
workers
to
heavy
machinery
and
lifted
them
into
the
air
as
punishment.
Fatal
accidents,
including
workers
crushed
by
equipment
or
killed
in
poorly
maintained
facilities,
highlight
what
civil
society
groups
describe
as
systemic
disregard
for
worker
safety.
Environmental
damage
linked
to
these
operations
is
severe.
The
report
finds
that
Chinese
mining
activity
has
contaminated
water
sources,
depleted
groundwater,
and
blanketed
nearby
communities
in
hazardous
dust.
In
one
case,
a
major
lithium
operator
discharged
toxic
waste
into
a
dam
relied
upon
by
surrounding
communities,
leaving
residents
without
clean
water
for
years.
Locals
report
declining
agricultural
output,
livestock
deaths,
and
rising
respiratory
illness
tied
to
mining
operations.
Despite
these
abuses,
accountability
remains
limited.
Community
representatives
report
that
mining
companies
bribe
local
officials
and
law
enforcement,
while
grievance
mechanisms
are
ineffective
or
nonexistent.
The
Committee’s
request
to
meet
with
Zimbabwean
officials
was
declined,
and
its
staff
was
monitored
by
the
state
intelligence
service
during
their
visit.
Finally,
the
committee’s
investigation
makes
multiple
policy
recommendations
including:
-
Offer
a
better
option
to
countries
seeking
investment
in
their
critical
minerals
sectors—specifically,
critical
minerals
partnerships
with
the
U.S.
and
American
companies
that
will
respect
the
laws
and
regulations
of
the
host
government,
operate
transparently,
protect
the
environment,
and
add
value
to
local
communities. -
Continue
developing
alternative,
Western,
and
sovereign
supply
chains. -
Seek
sanctions
for
Chinese
government
and
mining
company
officials
engaged
in
corruption
and
gross
human
rights
violations
in
the
mining
sector.
Read
more
about
part
one
of
China’s
Minerals
Mafia here.
The
Committee’s
full
three-part
report
can
be
read here.
Post
published
in:
Business