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.

Despite these efforts, tensions have arisen. In April 2024, four major Indigenous communities—Toconao, Camar, Socaire, and Peine—suspended dialogue with Codelco and SQM, citing a lack of genuine commitment to inclusive discussions. They expressed concerns that their distinct realities were not adequately recognized in the negotiation processes.

Environmental concerns are central to these discussions. Studies indicate that lithium mining has led to a 30% reduction in water levels in the Salar de Atacama, adversely affecting local ecosystems, including vegetation and flamingo populations. The Council of Atacameño Peoples filed a complaint in October 2024 against lithium mining companies operating in Chile's Atacama salt flat, accusing them of causing the land to sink around their extraction wells.

Chile's Indigenous communities are advocating for a governance model that ensures their active participation in decision-making processes related to lithium extraction, aiming to protect their ancestral lands and the environment while contributing to the nation's development. The outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship in resource-rich regions.