Green Extractivism in Lithium Triangle

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between lithium mining and the environmental-social aspects of mining in the countries of the lithium triangle by analysing scientific research works and available statistical data, and applying economic theory to green extractivism. We investigate whether the countries of the lithium triangle meet the criteria of the theory of green extractivism. In the context of the theory of green extractivism, we include Bolivian and Argentine regions as sacrifice zones while Chile is relatively successfully building renewable energy sources. In all three countries, we detected the socio-environmental impacts of lithium mining, the most serious problem being the right to water and the threat to the poorest regions.