Allegations of human rights and environmental violations linked to mining operations across Eastern Europe and Central Asia nearly tripled in 2024, according to a new report by the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC). The UK-based non-profit recorded 270 incidents tied to mining, smelting, and refining operations across 13 countries in the region, up from just 92 cases the previous year.
The findings raise serious concerns about the human and environmental cost of securing critical minerals for the green energy transition. Russia led the region in reported abuses, accounting for 105 cases, or 39% of the total, followed by Ukraine (48), Kazakhstan (43), Serbia (31), and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia (10 each). In several countries, including Serbia and Kazakhstan, the 2024 tally surpassed the combined number of cases from the previous five years.
Of all the minerals tracked, copper was linked to the most abuse cases — 77 in total, representing nearly 30% of the regional total and spread across eight countries. The top human rights concern was occupational health and safety violations, making up 115 of the 270 allegations. Workplace fatalities (47) and long-term personal health issues (30) also featured prominently. Russia and Kazakhstan together accounted for 37 out of 47 reported deaths.
Environmental harms were also widespread. Violations of environmental safety standards were documented in 43 cases, while air pollution, soil contamination, and water pollution each appeared in about 20–27% of community-level complaints.
One of the most frequently named companies was United Company RUSAL, owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, with 31 abuse allegations linked to its operations. Georgia’s Chiatura mines were also cited in 10 cases.
The BHRRC warns that the rush to secure essential materials for clean energy must not come at the expense of human rights and environmental protection. “We must not choose between climate progress and protection of people and ecosystems,” said BHRRC researcher and co-author Ella Skybenko.
