As the world pushes to reduce carbon emissions, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) have become crucial for transition mineral supply, essential for clean energy. However, a recent analysis by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (2019-2023) highlights severe environmental and human rights abuses, including human trafficking and workers’ rights violations, in the region’s mining sector. Over the past five years, 421 abuse allegations were recorded in EECA, with Russia (112), Armenia (51), Ukraine (47), Georgia (36), and Kazakhstan (35) leading the count. Nearly half of the allegations (185) involved worker abuses, particularly occupational health and safety issues, and workplace deaths. The report highlights how workers, local communities, and the environement are, too often, paying the price for the energy transition in the EECA.