Webinar: From Electric Dreams to Extractive Realities - The Socio-Ecological Consequences of Copper Mining in Zambia

Copper plays a crucial role in the transition toward low-carbon technologies, particularly in the automotive and electric vehicle industries in Germany and the European Union (EU). Yet behind the promise of “green” innovation lies another story: the social and ecological costs of extraction in countries like Zambia, one of the world’s largest copper producers.

Together with Aquila Ng’onga (ActionAid Zambia) we will examine the socio-ecological impacts of copper mining in Zambia, focusing on labor conditions for mining workers and the effects on local communities and ecosystems. It will further explore pathways toward resource justice and discuss how a fair raw materials partnership between the EU and Zambia can be achieved.

Guestspeaker: Aquila Ng’onga, ActionAid Zambia
Aquila Ng’onga is the Project Lead for the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals (EPRM) at ActionAid Zambia. He drives responsible mining practices that enhance the livelihoods, market access, and working conditions of artisanal and small-scale miners in Zambia. Aquila’s work integrates human rights, business accountability, and extractive sector governance, ensuring mineral wealth contributes to sustainable and inclusive development.

Date: 24/11/2025

Time: 6 p.m. (CET), 7 p.m. (CAT)

You can register for the webinar here.