Africa possesses enormous deposits of natural resources — nearly 30% of the world’s known mineral reserves are located on the continent. In recent dec …

Africa possesses enormous deposits of natural resources — nearly 30% of the world’s known mineral reserves are located on the continent. In recent decades, the global demand for resources (e.g., for metals, rare earths, fossil fuels) has led to a boom in mining in Africa. This boom is accompanied by massive infrastructure projects — roads, railway lines, pipelines, and power lines — often funded by foreign investments to exploit remote deposits. This has severe ecological consequences.