Mining companies accused of colonial ‘divide and rule’ tactics in their pursuit of the precious metal that lies under the country’s salt flats
Antonio Calpanchay, 45, has cut and sold blocks of salt from the Salinas Grandes, in northern Argentina, since he was 12. Photograph: John Owens/The Guardian
. But its exploitation has also fuelled a moral debate, one that pits the green energy transition against the rights of local and Indigenous peoples. “If they use all the water for mining, the salt flats will dry out. Water is needed for the salt to grow. Without salt, I won’t have work,” says Calpanchay, who relies on freshwater sources to rear his llamas and sheep. “Chemicals from extraction could contaminate the waters and the pastures. It could all be lost.”
Lition denies that the decision to mine in Lipan was contentious and says that it has complied with all regulations requiring it to seek the community’s support for lithium exploration. It previously told the press it has invested in 15 secondary school and 15 university scholarships, provided computers to local schools and hired 12 workers from Lipan.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
First Dream Home room reveals divide opinion as judges look for ‘wow factor’7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
'Good luck' for Baby Boomers driving intergenerational wealth divide: AMPOne of the country&x27;s leading financial institutions says hard work hasn&x27;t made older people better off than young generations.
Read more »
The maps that expose the state’s great HSC divideExperts warn that some students are becoming effectively ‘locked out’ of tertiary study.
Read more »
‘They divide’: Group banned in the UK eyes Australian division over warHizb ut-Tahrir has stepped up its activities in Australia against a backdrop of the war in Gaza and experts are concerned.
Read more »
‘They divide’: Group banned in the UK eyes Australian division over warHizb ut-Tahrir has stepped up its activities in Australia against a backdrop of the war in Gaza and experts are concerned.
Read more »
‘They’re trying to divide us’: Muslims in France voice fears over rise of far rightPeople in Lyon say country at dangerous juncture in snap elections after National Rally’s EU parliamentary gains
Read more »