The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change

A statement by a representative of Natural Justice detailing first-hand observations of the negative impacts of mining and large-scale infrastructure projects in South Africa and Kenya, arguing that current development models prioritize corporate interests over human rights and environmental sustainability.

• Mining in South Africa is described by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a "sunrise industry," despite the country being the most unequal in the world with an official unemployment rate of approximately 27 percent.
• The Tormin mineral sands mine, operated by the Australian company Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC) on South Africa's West Coast, has caused significant environmental damage, including the discharge of tailings directly into the ocean via two large pipes.
• In Kilifi County, Kenya, salt mining operations spanning 40 kilometres of coastline have led to the eviction of people, the destruction of mangroves, and the contamination of home and school water sources.
• The community of Xolobeni on South Africa's Wild Coast has resisted a proposed mine by Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC) for a decade, securing a Pretoria High Court ruling that Free, Prior and Informed Consent is required before operations begin.
• The New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) approved $790 million for three South African projects, including $480 million for Eskom’s Medupi power station to install flue gas desulphurization units for environmental compliance.
• The author expresses concern over the scale of funding for geoengineering, specifically stratospheric sulfate aerosol injections (SSAI) promoted by Harvard’s solar geoengineering programme, suggesting these projects may be used to allow industries to continue polluting.

APA

Martens, C. (2019). The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change. Natural Justice. https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/

Chicago

Martens, Claire. The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change. Natural Justice, 2019. https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Martens |first1=Claire |title=The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change |publisher=Natural Justice |date=18 April 2019 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{martens2019race, author = {Martens, Claire}, title = {{The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change}}, publisher = {Natural Justice}, year = {2019}, month = apr, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }