Neoliberal Extractive Economies for the Just Transition: Chinese Lithium Mining-Induced Displacements in Bikita, Zimbabwe.

The intensified global transition to low carbon renewable energy has triggered increased extraction of critical minerals such as cobalt and lithium in and beyond the African continent. With Zimbabwe being one of the countries with huge deposits of lithium and other critical minerals for the 'Just' transition such as lithium, the country has attracted widespread lithium mining investments from the Republic of China and other countries. Lithium is at the centre of the global transition to low-carbon futures given its centrality in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, batteries, solar panel systems, as well as other alternative energy sources that are eco-friendly. With the rapid growth of Chinese mining activities and investments over the past few years, there have also been an increase in the cases of Mining-Induced Displacement and Resettlement (MIDR) of many local communities in Zimbabwe to pave way for large-scale lithium extractive activities. The establishment of neoliberal extractive economies and enclaves has also led to environmental degradation as well as degradation of working conditions. Based on ethnographic qualitative research in a lithium mining community of Bikita, this article examines the injustices engendered by the just transition by unpacking the socio-environmental impacts as well as the physical and livelihood displacement of people living within and adjacent to lithium mining enclaves. I particularly focus on the rural community of Bikita which has one of the largest lithium deposits globally to show how the 'just' energy transitions configure new forms of vulnerabilities and precarities for the local people in the community.