Argentine mining boom fuels fears over scarce Andean water

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Buenos Aires: Growing mining activities in Argentina's Andes area have raised concerns about shortages of water, with local people and environmental groups warning that rising demand for minerals like lithium and copper is putting strain on delicate high-altitude ecosystems.

The arid Andean provinces of Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca contain some of the world's greatest lithium reserves, a vital component for electric vehicle batteries. However, obtaining lithium often requires huge quantities of water from salt flats and underground aquifers in areas where rainfall is extremely low.

Residents and indigenous populations warn that growing mining activities could deplete water sources used for drinking, farming, and livestock. Scientists have also warned that changes in groundwater levels may have an impact on the region's wetlands, which support distinctive wildlife species.

Argentina's government sees mining as a vital driver of economic growth and exports, hoping to capitalise on increased worldwide demand for crucial minerals required for the energy transition. Mining corporations claim that they are using more efficient technologies and environmental measures to minimise water consumption.

Environmental organisations, on the other hand, push for stronger control and greater transparency, warning that Argentina's Andean regions would continue to face significant challenges in balancing economic development with the protection of unstable water supplies.