Since 2001, 14,000 km² of forests have been lost due to mining activities and related operations—an area as large as half of Belgium. This is highlighted in a report by the World Resources Institute
Global demand for raw materials has increased by 52% since 2000. This surge puts the mining industry increasingly at odds with forests, including ancient rainforests that support a significant portion of the planet’s biodiversity. Protected areas are not spared either. But what is the precise impact of mining-driven deforestation, which refers to the loss of forest cover due to the expansion of extraction activities?
The Numbers Behind Mining-Driven Deforestation Since 2000
Between 2001 and 2020, a total of 14,000 km² of forests were lost worldwide due to mining activities and related operations. This area is roughly equivalent to half of Belgium. This calculation was made by the World Resources Institute (WRI) in a recently released report.
Of this total, 4,500 km² involve primary tropical rainforests, 1,500 km² are protected areas, and 2,600 km² pertain to lands of indigenous peoples and local communities. All these categories show a consistent upward trajectory over the two decades.
At first glance, these numbers may seem quite modest. Indeed, mining-driven deforestation is just a minor factor among those contributing to global forest loss. However, the volume does not correspond to the real impact that mining activities have.
Mining-driven deforestation can have “disproportionate” impacts at the regional level, emphasizes the WRI. Primary tropical rainforests are among the most important ecosystems in the world, and mining activity is a growing factor in forest loss. In the territories of indigenous and local communities, people depend on forests for their livelihoods.
“Mining activities often involve extensive removal of vegetation and soil, making it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve full ecological recovery of deforested lands. It can also lead to air and water pollution that affects human health and surrounding ecosystems,” the report adds.
What minerals have the most significant impact on mining-driven deforestation? Gold and coal alone account for 71% of forest loss. Essential minerals for products such as smartphones and renewable energies are also becoming an increasingly significant driver of mining activity.
