Critical Minerals – Geography of Energy

Spread over several chapters, the LOBA award-winning series examines the current impact of the global energy industry, using the examples of cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, copper and lithium mining in Chile and nickel extraction in Indonesia. In addition to photography, Monteleone uses other visual mediums – such as video and mapping – for his project; by applying these visual formats, he problematises the connection between the respective raw materials and the people living and working on site.

Could you please briefly describe your project?
Critical Minerals – Geography of Energy is a multi-chapter project that explores the profound transformation in the global energy landscape – the shift towards renewable energy sources. The story delves into the intricate geopolitical, social, and environmental implications of the exponential demand for minerals necessary to achieve renewable energy goals. As industrialized nations spearhead the race towards sustainability, they face the dual challenge of formulating clean energy policies while securing the necessary raw materials, often sourced from the Global South. Consequently, science, economy, politics, human rights, and environmental activism have begun to question the high costs associated with this energy transition. Pursuing greener energy is at risk of perpetuating past mistakes instead of heralding an equitable and sustainable future.

Aerial views of nickel mining, Indonesia 2024

Aerial views of Chuquicamate mine, Chile 2023

Cobalt mining. Portrait of a miner, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo, August 2023

What is the extent of the series so far?
The project currently has four chapters, each focusing on a different critical mineral. It consists of four, possibly five chapters, each dedicated to a specific critical mineral: copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and we are planning to include a fifth chapter on rare earth elements. The narrative is designed to evolve with contributions from various geographical locations and local collaborators, adding depth and breadth to the story.

What will this in-depth study look like?
The idea is to cover these minerals’ impact, from extraction to their role in the global energy transition. This is a collaborative endeavour featuring photographic and video contributions from local collaborators such as Cristóbal Olivares in Chile, Guerchom Ndebo in Congo, and Muhammad Fadli in Indonesia. Alongside the photographic series, there is a significant video component designed as a multichannel short film and a series of maps for the future. This approach utilises various mediums and perspectives to offer a more accurate and engaging portrayal of the subject matter.

Forest in the area around nickel mining, Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia 2024

View of the PT Antam Nickel mine, Molawe District, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, May 2024

Aerial view of lithium evaporation ponds, Albemarle Facility, Chile, April 2023

View of the former stadium in Chuquicamata ghost town, Chile, April 2023

This complexity seems very important to you.
Photography must embrace collaboration, inventive narratives, and targeted presentation. It’s essential to go beyond mere documentation and strive for storytelling that educates, advocates, and inspires action.

How long have you been working on the project?
I started working on the topic over two years ago with a precise plan, mostly executed as designed. Over the past few years, I have taken around 5000 images during four trips and about 120 days of fieldwork across different locations. For the final selection, I aim to narrow it down to 50-60 images. The LOBA submission aimed to provide a concise yet impactful overview of the project, selecting images representing the diverse geographical contexts and the project’s aesthetic. It was crucial to include a variety of images that together tell a cohesive story and highlight both the global processes and personal narratives involved.

What experience have you gained in the collaboration so far?
There was no bad experience besides some predictable logistical difficulties and production slowdown. As for the pleasant surprise, working in a team and sharing the fieldwork with local collaborators was a pleasure. This profession has been a solitary activity for too long; I’m happy to work today with companions.

The comiakol cooperative artisanal mining in the Mutoshi concession, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo, August 2023

Workers collecting samples from a lithium pond, Albemarle Facility, Chile, April 2023

The sky over the Zapar canyon, once a fertile area, that now suffers from a lack of water, Chile, April 2023

Valle de La Luna, Atacama Desert, Chile, April 2023

Aerial view of lithium evaporation ponds, SQM Facility, Chile, April 2023

Aerial view of lithium evaporation ponds, Albemarle Facility, Chile, April 2023

Thousands of workers starting their shift in one of the companies at the Morowali Industrial Park, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia 2024

View of the site of the artisanal copper and cobalt mine Shabara, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo, August 2023

What camera equipment did you use?
I primarily use medium and large format cameras, often with a tripod. I sometimes create panoramic photographs by stitching multiple frames together. Drones and aerial photography were also extensively used to capture the vastness of the mining sites and landscapes. Despite the immediate impression, the various formats are extensions of one single format.

What are your hopes for this year’s LOBA award?
I’m excited about the visibility opportunities the prize will give the project and the story. The transition to green energy and the fair distribution of resources are critical issues. Increased debate and visibility can drive policy makers to take necessary actions.

Davide Monteleone was born in 1974 in Potenza, in the Basilicata region of Italy, and today lives in Switzerland. He has a Master’s Degree in Art and Politics from the Goldsmiths, University of London; and he is a curator and lecturer at many public and private institutions. He has been dealing with the climate issue, and the tense relationship between economy and geopolitics, for many years. His work has been widely honoured and has appeared in numerous exhibitions. In 2020, his Sinomocene series made it onto the LOBA shortlist. Find out more about his photography on his website and his Instagram account.