Mining, Water Crisis, and Indigenous Rights in Atacama, Chile

Context:

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile, known as the driest place on Earth, is facing a severe ecological and humanitarian crisis due to extensive copper and lithium mining operations and a 15-year-long mega-drought. Despite the shift toward desalinated seawater, Indigenous communities argue that the environmental damage is irreversible.

Key Issues:

1. Mining and Water Stress:

   • Mining giants such as BHP (Escondida Mine), Albemarle, and Zaldívar have historically extracted groundwater for operations.

   • Over-extraction has led to a drop of over 25 cm in water tables, affecting wetlands, springs, vegetation, and biodiversity in the Monturaqui-Negrillar-Tilopozo aquifer.

2. Impact on Indigenous Communities:

   • The Lickanantay de Peine Indigenous community has witnessed destruction of grazing lands and local water ecosystems.

   • Environmental degradation has disrupted traditional livelihoods and cultural practices.

3. Desalination: A Double-Edged Sword:

   • Mining firms have shifted to desalinated seawater (approx. 30% of water used in mining now).

   • However, desalinated water does not reach Indigenous lands and has ecological costs:

     • High CO₂ emissions (projected 700,000 tonnes CO₂e/year by 2030).

     • Brine discharge harming marine biodiversity, especially near Antofagasta.

4. Regulatory and Judicial Actions:

   • In Dec 2024, Chile’s environmental court fined companies $47 million for unsustainable groundwater depletion.

   • A prior $8.4 million fine on Escondida was upheld.

5. Green Paradox:

   • Chile is a major global supplier of copper (13%) and lithium (80% of EU imports).

   • These minerals are crucial for the global green transition (EVs, renewables), yet their extraction worsens local ecological and cultural degradation.

Important Locations:

• Atacama Desert: Driest region on Earth, with sensitive salt flat ecosystems.

• Escondida Mine: World’s largest copper producer, located in the Andes.

• Peine: Indigenous Lickanantay community settlement within salt flats.

• Monturaqui-Negrillar-Tilopozo Aquifer: Over-exploited groundwater source.

• Coloso, Antofagasta: Location of BHP's largest desalination plant.

• Antofagasta (Port & Coast): Site of brine discharge, affecting marine life.

Other Important Facts :

UPSC Syllabus:

• GS Paper I: Geography – Desert ecosystems, water stress.

• GS Paper II: Governance – Indigenous rights, environmental justice.

• GS Paper III: Environment & Economy – Climate change, resource extraction vs sustainability, energy transition.

• Essay/Ethics: Development vs Environment, Ecological Rights, Cultural Survival.