Matlhogonolo Mochware is a community activist for ActionAid partner Women Affected by Mining United in Action (WAMUA).
Sam Reinders/ActionAid
Manganese Matters
A metal of consequence for women and communities in South Africa affected by mining and the global energy transition
As the growing popularity of electric vehicles sparks an increased demand for battery-related minerals, new research by ActionAid exposes the harmful impact of manganese mining on communities in South Africa.
ActionAid and Dutch NGO Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO)’s new report, Manganese Matters, finds that the increased demand for manganese for batteries is posing a serious threat to local communities, with women and girls most at risk from rights abuses, including severe health conditions such as asbestos poisoning and tuberculosis, and exploitation.