Abstract:
Mining has been occurring throughout Latin America for decades; however, lithium mining has been a more recent endeavor that greatly impacts the attitudes of local constituents regarding both the mining itself and its environmental/governmental impacts. Lithium mining has become a contemporary issue due to the widespread push for more electric-powered items. While research has been conducted regarding how past mining has impacted both governments and local constituents, the change in these viewpoints has not been examined in light of recent lithium extraction. This study will demonstrate how past mining and lithium mining have shifted the attitudes of local persons regarding the commodity, environmental impact, and government intervention surrounding lithium. I drew on primary sources that focus on local’s viewpoints regarding both previous mining operations as well as now during the lithium mining. I looked at sources from mining companies and governmental agencies to access their views regarding mining endeavors and how they intend to control extraction. These primary sources allowed for the examination of attitude changes regarding the local’s view of the land, the surrounding environment, and the governmental interventions. As lithium reliance increases due to worldwide demand for electric and battery-powered items, the requirement for mining in the Lithium Triangle increases which greatly alters the environment and life for local constituents.