Timeline
Discussion Questions
Digital Resources
Discussion Questions
- How does lithium mining as a transnational issue influence outside governmental proceedings and agencies?
- Is lithium mining important enough to the economic well-being of the state that there is a level where its environmental and social effects are forgivable?
- What cultural changes have occurred since the introduction of lithium into common economic practice?
- How have local economic practices outside of lithium mining adapted to the loss of resources due to lithium extraction?
- Are indigenous people benefitting from lithium mining in any way?
- What protections should be implemented or already have been put in place to favor and preserve indigenous rights?
- Have the shifts and advancements in mining practices benefited the local environment and populations in any way?
- Do you find it surprising that there is not a larger indigenous pushback to lithium extraction due to past mining injustices rather than just a few individuals and groups expressing their dismay?
- How have miners’ rights and mining accidents influenced governmental actions regarding lithium mining?
- What cultural, environmental, and social factors are impacted by water losses in many of these indigenous communities?
Digital Resources
1. This resource includes a documentary, individual testimonies, facts, and maps regarding lithium extraction in the Lithium Triangle.
Flores, Clemente. “En El Nombre Del Litio.”En el Nombre del Litio. 2021. https://enelnombredellitio.org.ar/.
2. This website contains numerous graphs and figures explaining the world’s uptick in reliance on lithium for electric vehicles.
Azevedo, Marcelo; Baczyńska, Magdalena; Hoffman, Ken; Krauze, Aleksandra. “Lithium Mining: How new production technologies could fuel the global EV revolution.” McKinsey & Company. 2022. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/metals-and-mining/our-insights/lithium-mining-how-new-production-technologies-could-fuel-the-global-ev-revolution.
3. This map depicts the types and locations of lithium deposits as well as lithium mining sites seen across the Earth.
British Geological Survey. Global lithium (Li) mines, deposits, and occurrences. 2021. Lithium for Future Technology (LiFT). http://lithiumfuture.org/map.html.
4. This resource from the vehicle company Volkswagen offers commonly posed questions with answers along with graphs regarding the possible detriments of lithium extraction.
Volkswagen. “Lithium Mining Common Concerns.”Volkswagen. 2022. https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/stories/2020/03/lithium-mining-what-you-should-know-about-the-contentious-issue.html#.
5. This video provides a simplistic overview of the lithium demand and its environmental impact.
CNN 10. “A Look At Lithium Mining,” YouTube video, ten minutes, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbW-ME7ta3Q.