BRENDAN MCLAUGHLIN

Jan 30, 2025 | earthworks.org | BRENDAN MCLAUGHLIN |Brendan McLaughlin |Aaron Mintzes

Even though the President supports mining in the US, his policies might send US minerals into foreign-made EVs sold back to Americans. This strategy might lead to mineral dependence rather than the dominance he craves. President Trump’s call for “mineral dominance” may have the opposite of its intended effect. Last week, the President signed three Executive Orders (EO) on mining.

Dec 10, 2024 | earthworks.org | BRENDAN MCLAUGHLIN |Brendan McLaughlin

No Agreement Reached After Three Days of Meetings Between Barrick Gold and Communities in the Dominican RepublicGuest blog by María Alejandra Torres GarcíaIn the Dominican Republic, Barrick Gold, a mining company, is proposing building a second dam to contain mine waste, which would mean six communities would have to relocate. These communities are already affected by polluted water and damaged crops.

Oct 23, 2024 | earthworks.org | BRENDAN MCLAUGHLIN |Brendan McLaughlin

In October and November of last year, Panamanians took to the streets in record numbers in one of the largest mass mobilizations the country has ever seen, lasting over a month. The protests were in response to an illegal contract between the Canadian mining company, First Quantum Minerals (FQM), and the government that allowed the company to continue operating a controversial copper mine.

Sep 5, 2024 | earthworks.org | BRENDAN MCLAUGHLIN |Brendan McLaughlin

A new mining trade association statement on mining and Indigenous Peoples fails to advance Indigenous rights and creates unnecessary confusion, risking further violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights worldwide. The statement comes as demand for energy transition minerals, which are used in EV batteries and other renewable energy technologies, is skyrocketing. More than half of energy transition minerals worldwide are on Indigenous Peoples’ lands.

Aug 27, 2024 | earthworks.org | BRENDAN MCLAUGHLIN |Brendan McLaughlin

Meeting the ambitious targets necessary to avert climate catastrophe will require scaling up our use of low-carbon energy sources. These solar, wind, and battery technologies, including electric vehicle (EV) batteries, currently rely on minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, graphite, and rare earths which are almost exclusively mined or extracted from the ground at great cost to the environment and communities.