Many local governments and individuals are opposed to mining near their communities. Mining has had and will continue to negatively impact the biodiversity, environment, and culture within these regions. South America is a biodiversity hotspot; these mountainous regions where the mining takes place is home to many unique species due to the rare environment found in these regions. Outside of the ecological richness of these regions, these small communities also hold a lot of various cultures and traditions. Many of these groups’ remaining practicing members only reside in these rural regions in the Andes. Mining in these regions threatens the cultural and ecological richness that is present in this region of South America.
These local communities are opposed to these mining endeavors due to their past experiences with degradation due to mining which they feel will only continue with lithium mining. These constituents worry about water availability in their villages and towns due to the water requirements of lithium extraction. In addition, the resulting pollution from mining and the associated equipment may cause environmental and human health issues in the near future. These lands also hold cultural or spiritual significance to many of these people. These private mining companies have little regard for the environmental, cultural, and health of the land and its constituents. These past and current actions from these companies have caused unrest among these communities resulting in many individuals speaking out in hopes of stopping mining. This video demonstrates these actions in a local community leader who hopes to educate others in order to limit mining in her surrounding community.
Resumen TV, “Voces en Defensa de Maricunga: Cápsula N°2 – Elena Rivera Comunidad Indígena Colla Comuna de Copiapó,” YouTube video, 4 minutes and 54 seconds, May 21, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2ePdqeSw-M.