Bolivians Push Back on ‘Worst Possible’ Lithium Deal With China and Russia

Locals are contesting new contracts that would force the country to absorb a high level of financial risk.

Evaporation pools for the extraction of lithium are seen at the Salar de Uyuni, a vast white salt flat at the centre of a global resource race for the battery metal lithium, outside of Uyuni, Bolivia, on March 26, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. Claudia Morales /Reuters

Widespread outrage has erupted in Bolivia over the details of contracts officials signed with Chinese and Russian companies to exploit the country’s vast lithium reserves.

Bolivians say the new agreements offer zero benefits for locals.