Indigenous Communities Seek Greater Control in Chile’s Lithium Projects

Indigenous communities in Chile’s Atacama Desert are actively seeking greater control and meaningful participation in the country’s expanding lithium industry. As Chile accelerates its lithium production plans, Indigenous communities in the lithium-rich Atacama Desert are negotiating with major mining companies, state-run Codelco and lithium producer SQM, for more governance and environmental oversight in the process. These talks aim to forge an unprecedented governance model that would include Indigenous Atacama groups, or Lickanantay, in key decision-making without granting them formal business control, focusing instead on preserving environmental resources, particularly water, and ensuring ethical mining practices.