"Can Escazú Turn Mining Green in the Lithium Triangle? Lofty Promises Meet a Thirsty Industry in the Desert", 16 August 2021

[...] Conversely to this domestic sustainability drive, China’s demand for lithium from Latin America has been picking up, building on a foundation of Chinese investment in the sector in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. Chinese investment in South American mining— and related socio-environmental concerns—are nothing new.

In a new policy brief published by the Latin American Studies Association, Rebecca Ray, Kehan Wang and Zara C. Albright explore the history of lithium mining in the region and how the future of lithium mining may affect commitments to long-term sustainability. Over the past few years, Latin American countries, as well as China, have made ambitious new commitments for environmental performance, commitments that require greater transparency and deeper involvement by affected communities. Living up to these commitments in a sector fraught with environmental conflicts will be crucial to determining whether this promised boom will benefit Latin American nations and communities, as well as Chinese investors. [...]