I live in Chile so I know a thing or two about mining. 20% of fiscal income stems from copper exports and the majority of that from the state owned mining company Codelco.
There are many mining operations of foreign companies which don't generate nearly as much fiscal income so putting mining under state control is completely understandable. This is exactly how we and oil countries got rich. We destroy the environment so at least we should be compensated instead of exporting profits as well.
A US-backed coup against Bolivia makes no sense, Chile is a muppet and does whatever the US needs done. There is no need to intervene in Bolivia if you can just ask Chile to expand lithium mining and we will happily do it.
I have seen the lithium mining sites in Chile, compared to copper it is clean. The mining operations are still small in comparison to copper and investment is slow.
There are many mining operations of foreign companies which don't generate nearly as much fiscal income so putting mining under state control is completely understandable. This is exactly how we and oil countries got rich. We destroy the environment so at least we should be compensated instead of exporting profits as well.
A US-backed coup against Bolivia makes no sense, Chile is a muppet and does whatever the US needs done. There is no need to intervene in Bolivia if you can just ask Chile to expand lithium mining and we will happily do it.
I have seen the lithium mining sites in Chile, compared to copper it is clean. The mining operations are still small in comparison to copper and investment is slow.