'Green' energy relies on copper-nickel mining

In short: Did you know one must destroy eggs to make an omelette?

Yes, it takes energy and resources to build things, including "green" things. Pointing out that it is non-zero is hardly an insight. The question is (a) whether the result, in net, is better than the current situation and (b) whether the same investment in other techniques will yield even better results.

"Cobalt, lots of it. Most of it comes from the Congo, mined by 40,000 child laborers, which compassionate Minnesotans refer to as child slave labor."

The author forgot to mention, that cobalt plays a vital role in catalysing the removal of sulphur from oil, so not only 'green' energy relies on cobalt mining.