As the drive to expand renewable energy capacity speeds up, there is a rush for lithium and other materials around the world. What will the expansion of rare earth mining in Latin America mean for the indigenous communities and workers who have historically borne the harms of extractivism?
The iniquitous ISDS system allows mining companies to sue Latin American governments for massive amounts of 'compensation' every time their mining activities are blocked by local community opposition or environmental concerns.
Prominent Bolivian miners' leader Orlando Gutierrez died In October. Was he injured in a fall at his home, or was he the victim of a right-wing attack?
A recent report, published by the Cyrus R. Vance Centre for International Justice, Earth Law Centre and International Rivers has found that the movement to grant legal rights to rivers and the natural environment is rapidly gaining momentum around the world.
In his latest book, Ben McKay writes about a commodity that is rapidly expanding in Latin America: soy. Taking a political economy approach, he explores the historical development of the industrial soy complex in the region, carefully analysing society-capital-state relations and looking at some of the contradictions of Evo Morales’ rule.
This is the second post in the new London Mining Network blog, a partnership initiative between LAB and LMN. Cerrejón’s ‘agreement’ with Wayúu community comes as news to them; Chubut communities mobilise again; updates from Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.
Almost 85 per cent of the world’s lithium reserves are concentrated in the Lithium Triangle along the borderlands of Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. Bolivia’s resources remain largely unexploited. Will Bolivia be able to industrialise Lithium production on its own terms?
LAB is publishing this second special bulletin from Bolivia Information Forum. Written on 28 October, it contains details of the final results of the election and excellent background analysis.
CandidateLa PazCocha-bambaSanta CruzChuqui-sacaOruroPotosíTarijaBeniPandoArce65.363.1 62.451.5 45.8Mesa 52.4 51.041.3 Camacho 45.2
Arce wins with 55.10%
As reported in our Special Bulletin of 19 October, quick count polls carried out on polling day gave the MAS candidate Luis Arce Catacora with David...
LAB is publishing this special bulletin from Bolivia Information Forum. Written on 19 October, before final results were known, it nevertheless contains details of the voting and excellent background analysis.
19 October: with unofficial polls showing the Movimiento al Socialismo candidate, Luis Arce, the outright winner of the 18 October election, Bolivia seemed to be adjusting itself to the prospect...
Closure of the border with Bolivia in response to covid-19 has exposed a legal vacuum in Argentina surrounding the consumption, importation and cultivation of coca leaves in the country’s northern provinces.
Coca leaves have been used for millennia by indigenous groups in the area, as well as in Bolivia, Peru and Colombia, for medicinal and ritualistic purposes. However its usage...