Representatives of this native people, who have lived for centuries in the Colchane area, said that the ministries of Mining and Social Development committed serious errors and illegal omissions by leaving them out of this process.

In their argument, they claim that the State marginalized them, despite being one of the communities most affected, if not the most, by the exploration, exploitation and processing of lithium in the area.

Coipasa covers an area of 2,218 square kilometers and is part of the so-called triangle of salt flats that concentrates 53 percent of that metal globally.

This ecosystem, located more than 3,850 meters above sea level, also contains a unique biodiversity of flora and fauna adapted to extreme conditions of salinity and aridity.

In order to start its exploitation, the Government must comply with the requirement of Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the International Labor Organization (ILO), which orders a consultation with all indigenous communities potentially at risk from this activity.

However, the Aymara community was excluded from this requirement, although there will be a negative impact on their way of life if lithium extraction begins.

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