World AffairsThe GuardianWed, Sep 3, 2025, 11:00 AMNegative

‘The Dubai of South America’: how the promise of riches from lithium mining turned to dust in Bolivia

In Bolivia, the promise of wealth from lithium mining has turned sour as Indigenous communities express concerns over environmental damage and threats to their livelihoods. Politicians have long touted lithium as a key to economic recovery, but locals fear the exploitation of resources will harm their ecosystems.

‘The Dubai of South America’: how the promise of riches from lithium mining turned to dust in Bolivia

WPN Brief

In Bolivia, the promise of wealth from lithium mining has turned sour as Indigenous communities express concerns over environmental damage and threats to their livelihoods. Politicians have long touted lithium as a key to economic recovery, but locals fear the exploitation of resources will harm their ecosystems.
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