{"id":292933,"date":"2025-06-18T09:38:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=292933"},"modified":"2025-07-03T09:40:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T08:40:09","slug":"sami-and-the-mining-of-critical-minerals-a-threat-to-indigenous-lands-and-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/sami-and-the-mining-of-critical-minerals-a-threat-to-indigenous-lands-and-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"S\u00e1mi and the mining of critical minerals: a threat to Indigenous lands and biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The need for renewable energy sources has strongly pushed the demand for critical materials such as lithium, and nickel. Even though there is no doubt that we need to transition from fossil to renewable energy, this surge has led to increased mining activities around the globe, for example in Indonesia and Ghana. Fewer people are aware that mining for the energy transition also takes place within the European Union, which directly affects the S\u00e1mi: the Indigenous people of northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Their territory is increasingly threatened by mineral mining and other extractive industries, which does not only endanger their way of life but also pose a significant risk to biodiversity. Although Scandinavian governments have enacted some legislation to recognise S\u00e1mi rights, enforcement gaps remain.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: S\u00e1mi Man by blueorangestudio<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This article was written by an IUCN NL intern and does not necessarily reflect the position of IUCN NL.<\/em>  <\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The Indigenous S\u00e1mi people<\/strong> <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Many Indigenous communities live in highly biodiverse areas, in balance with nature. They apply Indigenous knowledge systems and practices to protect, preserve, govern, and use natural resources in their territories. To them, their land has different intangible values, including sacred landscapes, storytelling traditions, and rituals that form the backbone of their existence [1]<\/sup><\/a>Dhillon, J., 2022. Indigenous resurgence: decolonization and movements for environmental justice.<\/a><\/span><\/span>