Lithium mining stirs fight over flamingos in Chile

STORY: Lithium mining could be endangering flamingos in Chile

The Atacama desert is home to the bright pink birds

who find much needed hydration from blue pools in the area

The desert is also rich in lithium

the metal used to make batteries for electronic devices and electric vehicles

Flamingo numbers have been falling

A new study links this to the water extracted by lithium mining firms

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CO-AUTHOR OF STUDY IN THE ROYAL SOCIETY'S PROCEEDINGS B JOURNAL, CRISTINA DORADOR, SAYING: “It is the first investigation showing that endemic flamingo populations in the Atacama desert have been affected by lithium extraction, especially considering it in the context of the salt flats’ evaporation, so that flamingo populations have dwindled to around 12% in the last ten years. It is quite relevant because it shows that such an industry lithium exploitation is not sustainable, damaging the ecosystem. In this case, it can be seen in the reduction of flamingo populations."

Miners contend their operations do not affect flamingo herds

and say the studies are based on unreliable data

The stand-off underscores growing tensions in Chile

over mining's impact on local communities and the environment