Over the last couple of days there have been a number of mentions of Bolivia's Lithium mines during the discussions at the water forum. Basically Lithium is a vital component of most modern batteries, used to power the explosion of throw away consumer gadgets (like my phone and netbook). Like most mining, getting this stuff out of the ground results in serious environment damage, in this case polluting water supplies with toxic heavy metals.
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This week, protests by local residents have blocked a key railway access to Bolivia's San Cristobal mine since Monday, forcing the mine, owned by Japan's Sumitomo Corp, to store mineral ore on the site.
San Cristobal, in the central Potosi region, is one of the largest mines in Bolivia and produces silver, zinc and lead. A Mining Ministry official said he did not know the reason for the protest.
[Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1417607820100414]
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