Awareness around the human rights risks of lithium mining is growing. Despite being presented as more sustainable, an NDR investigation into the US-company Livent and the methods used in the mine at the Salar del Hombre Muerto raises concerns about the effects of Livent's mining activities on the groundwater level and the freshwater resources in the region. Specifically, the report suggests that Livent has a higher freshwater consumption than competitors using the conventional lithium extraction method and that the residual brine might be discharged onto the Salar del Hombre Muerto where it evaporates – thus causing the groundwater level to drop further.

In a reply to NDR, BMW stated: "We oblige all our suppliers to comply with environmental and social standards, human rights and to apply management systems for occupational health and safety and environmental protection. This is also the case with our supplier Livent."

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Livent to respond; the company's response can be read in full below.