On May 28, 2025, coordinated protests erupted across continents, targeting Glencore, one of the world’s largest mining conglomerates. Demonstrators in South Africa, Colombia, Peru, Germany, and Switzerland accused the company of supplying coal to Israel, thereby supporting its military actions in Gaza. The protests coincided with Glencore’s Annual General Meeting in Switzerland, where activists demanded an end to coal exports to Israel.
In Johannesburg, protesters gathered outside Glencore’s South African headquarters, highlighting the company’s role in supporting Israel’s military operations. Roshan Dadoo, coordinator of the South African BDS Coalition, emphasized that approximately 22% of Israel’s energy comes from coal, with Glencore being a significant supplier. She urged the South African government to halt coal exports to Israel, drawing parallels to the historical oil embargo against apartheid South Africa.
Beyond geopolitical concerns, Glencore’s mining activities have left a trail of environmental and social devastation. In South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, communities near Glencore’s coal mines suffer from severe air and water pollution. The release of pollutants like particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides has led to increased respiratory illnesses and other health issues among residents. Water sources have been contaminated with heavy metals and sulfates, forcing some communities to relocate due to the uninhabitable conditions.
Glencore’s operations in other countries have also been marred by controversy. In Colombia, the company’s subsidiary Cerrejón has faced allegations of forced expropriations and evacuations of entire villages to facilitate mine expansion, with reports of complicity with paramilitary groups. Similarly, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Mutanda mine has been linked to chemical spills that destroyed farmers’ fields, leading to loss of livelihoods and inadequate compensation.
Despite these issues, Glencore continues to prioritize coal production, citing shareholder interests and profitability. In 2023, the company reported an 8.8% increase in carbon emissions, totaling 432.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, largely due to higher coal output and the reopening of the Astron Energy Refinery in South Africa. While Glencore has announced plans to reduce emissions and invest in renewable energy projects, such as the 100 MW Sonvanger Solar PV Power Plant in South Africa, critics argue that these efforts are insufficient and serve more as public relations strategies than genuine commitments to environmental sustainability.
The protests against Glencore underscore a broader critique of multinational corporations that prioritize profits over human rights and environmental stewardship. Activists argue that Glencore’s actions exemplify a form of “colonial mining,” where resources are extracted from developing countries with little regard for the well-being of local communities. They call for a reevaluation of global economic models that allow such practices to persist, advocating for systems that prioritize social justice, environmental protection, and equitable development.
As the international community grapples with the intertwined challenges of environmental degradation, human rights violations, and geopolitical conflicts, the case of Glencore serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked corporate power. The voices rising against such practices demand not only accountability but also a transformative shift towards a more just and sustainable global order.