Boom in mining for renewable energy minerals threatens Africa’s great apes

Researchers applaud move away from fossil fuels but say more must be done to mitigate effects on endangered species

Up to a third of Africa's great apes are threatened by a boom in mining projects for minerals required for the renewable energy transition, new research shows.

An estimated 180,000 gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees are at risk due to an increase in demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt, a study has found. Many of those minerals are required for clean energy technologies such as wind turbines and electric cars. Researchers say the boom in demand is driving destruction of tropical rainforests which are critical habitats for Africa's great apes.