China controls many mining operations in the world to try to dominate green technologies

In recent years, China has emerged as a key player in the green technology industry, driven by its ambitious commitment to decarbonization and sustainable development.

However, this rise has generated concern in the international community, especially with regard to the control that the Asian country exercises over the mining exploitation of critical raw materials for these technologies.

The transition to a green economy requires a large amount of critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, rare earths and nickel, essential for the manufacture of batteries, solar panels and other key components of clean technologies.

China, aware of this growing demand, has intensified its efforts to ensure access to these raw materials, investing in mining projects around the world and establishing strategic trade agreements with countries rich in these types of resources.

Currently, China controls a significant percentage of mining operations for critical minerals in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Australia and Argentina. And this situation has raised concerns about the security of supply for other countries that also depend on these raw materials for their technological development.

Mining exploitation, especially in countries with weak environmental and social regulations, can have negative consequences for the environment and local communities.

And cases of pollution, deforestation, labor exploitation and social conflicts related to Chinese mining activities have been reported in different parts of the world.

But if we are a little honest, we have to recognize that Chinese companies are doing around the world what Western mining companies have done in the past. Seek their profit, and try to dominate the market,

There are more than 60 Chinese mining projects around the world. Today China is the leader in the refining of lithium (provides 72% of the total) and cobalt (provides 68% of the total). They manufacture more than half of all electric cars sold in the world, 60% of wind turbines, and 80% of solar panels.

And that has not happened by chance. On China’s part there is a continued commitment and serious work behind it.

More than 20 years ago, in Spain there was a certain technology to manufacture solar panels, and several factories that produced them. But the governments of the different parties decided not to support these initiatives, and today we do not have any solar industry. Only small installers who import solar panels from China.

Each country has what it deserves.