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Meet the Grantee: Dr Joshua Matanzima

Renewable Energy Development on Post-Mined Lands in Germany: Risks and Opportunities for a Fair Just Transition

Our Short Term Grantee Dr Joshua Matanzima from University of Queensland came to Bayreuth to compare the experiences with energy transition to renewable energies and the cost of repurposing closed mines for surrounding communities in Australia and Germany. His stay at the Chair of Social and Cultural Anthropology (Prof. Katharina Schramm) was particularly fruitful as he could interact with teams from different disciplines, establish a few networks, and he even managed to go to a local opera house.

Dr. Mantanzima

If you had to explain the research project of your Short Term Grant to the person you metin the elevator, how would you describe it?

Joshua Matanzima: My research project focused on the conversion of closed lignite mines into renewable energy hubs. Closed mines are being targeted for these purposes because they are a good source for geothermal power and pumped hydro. Also, in their surrounding battery storage facilities, wind turbines and solar parks are being developed. These developments are motivated by the current haste to transition from the use of fossil fuels (such as coal, gas, and oil) to clean energy sources. The project proposes to compare Australia and Germany's experiences of these transitions. In Australia, these conversions are already underway at Kidston Mine in Queensland and Muswellbrook in New South Wales. In Germany, such conversions are occurring in eastern Germany in areas such as Lusatia and Old Mannheim. I am based in Australia, and with potential German collaborators, we are hoping to include Germany as a case study and apply for a larger grant to carry out this very important and timely comparative research. In particular, the projects focuses on the social and environmental impacts of these developments. We are questioning how communities connected, in various ways, to these closed mines are impacted.

Was there a special moment in your life that made you decide for your research focus?

JM: The reason I chose to focus on this research is that I am interested in energy transition politics. During my PhD, I had the opportunity to work at the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) at the University of Queensland, which is one of the leading institutes in energy transition research, mainly regarding the extraction of critical minerals. At this postdoctoral stage, I am still working at SMI, interacting with nationally and internationally recognized authorities on energy transitions. I have been involved in several research projects on topics surrounding the extraction of critical minerals and the establishment of renewable energy technologies. It was through engaging in these research projects that I realized  there is little focus on the social and environmental impacts associated with the repurposing of closed mines for renewable energy. Though these developments can be applauded for turning brownfields into greenfields, they do come at a cost for surrounding communities. I am interested in researching these social and environmental costs and raising awareness about them to policymakers, government departments, and other relevant peak bodies so that they can be addressed.

What is in your opinion the future of your field? In what way can research in your field(s)contribute to meeting the urgent challenges of our time?

JM: The world is fast transitioning to a greener future. The use of coal and other fossil fuels is being abandoned. Currently, Australia and Germany have set net zero targets which they seek to achieve in the coming decades. For such targets to be achieved, demand for more land to develop renewable energy infrastructure will be required in both countries. And as I have mentioned, closed mined areas will be targeted for such uses. Therefore, there will be more of these conversions in the future. However, these developments can impact on people and environments, and therefore, we call on their responsible sourcing. The energy transition must not be achieved by sacrificing other communities and environments. It has to be "just". My research provides evidence based data with policy implications for achieving just transitions.

What does international research mobility in today's world mean to you?

JM: International research mobility is very important for sharing knowledge, skills and experiences across different fields, regions and countries. The recent pandemic has shown and taught us the importance of knowledge and data sharing across regions in minimizing the impacts of the challenges that the world is facing today. These challenges include, epidemics, climate crisis, natural disasters, hunger and poverty etc. I think my international research visit to University of Bayreuth (Germany) is a great step towards achieving this. I work in Australia which is in the southern hemisphere and Germany is in the northern hemisphere. Such potential international collaborations are critical in knowledge and skills sharing. And I believe that the team of potential collaborators that I have met from University of Bayreuth and Martin Luther University (Halle) will work collaboratively to identify problems associated with the energy transitions in both countries. These researchers come from different fields of study and I believe together we will be able to use our international experiences to ensure that our research objectives are achieved and shared with the rest of the world.

What was your personal experience during your stay, e.g. what did you like best about the University/
the city of Bayreuth, what surprised you…? What is your favourite spot in Bayreuth or the region?

JM: The University of Bayreuth was, indeed, an amazing place to be, albeit for a short period. I wish I had stayed longer. This is because of several reasons. First, I managed to interact with teams from different disciplines (e.g from ZET- Centre for Energy Technology and Ecological Resource Technology) who showed interests in collaborating with me. Second, I stayed in a very nice hotel with very friendly staff at the First-boarding Hotel, who made my stay enjoyable. Third, I established a few networks during that period that I believe will be able to strengthen through collaborations in the future. Fourth, I was given a very spacious office at the Chair of Anthropology that was very warm as it was at the beginning of the winter and temperatures were getting low. Fifth, I enjoyed the very affordable meals at the Cafeteria. Sixth, I managed to go to a local opera house and other beautiful historical and cultural places where I learn a lot about local German history and culture.

The Grantee

Dr Joshua Matanzima is a Researcher based at the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland. He is an anthropologist interested in carrying out research about the social and environmental impacts of natural resources extraction, and the establishment of renewable energy technologies. He has published several papers on this topic. Some of his papers appear in such journals as the Energy Research and Social Sciences (ERSS) and the Extractive Industries and Society (EXIS). Joshua holds a PhD in Anthropology from La Trobe University in Australia; a Masters degree in Anthropology from Rhodes University in South Africa and an Honours degree in History from the University of Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe.


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