ID: 1868
Presenting Author: Joao Paulo Diniz Abud
Session: 652 - EA in Latin America: Bridging Infrastructure and Communities for Sustainable Development
Status: pending
Participatory water monitoring in Argentina’s lithium projects can build trust and transparency, ensuring critical mineral development respects local rights and supports an inclusive energy transition
Lithium brine projects in South America’s high Andean plateau, one of the driest regions on Earth, operate in fragile ecosystems where water is scarce and central to local livelihoods. Communities in these salt flat basins depend on shallow freshwater aquifers for domestic use and small-scale agriculture, and concerns about water depletion and contamination have intensified alongside the rapid expansion of lithium extraction. In this context, limited access to information and the spread of misinformation often undermine trust between operators and local stakeholders. This paper will explore how participatory water monitoring, where communities, regulators, and project operators jointly collect and interpret groundwater and brine data, can strengthen transparency, accountability, and the credibility of impact assessments. Drawing from IFC’s experience in lithium projects in Argentina, it will highlight lessons on inclusive program design, disclosure of information in a culturally appropriate manner, discussion of cumulative impacts and interpretation workshops where affected communities can voice concerns and questions. Beyond improving monitoring governance, these programs contribute to a fair and inclusive energy transition by ensuring that the pursuit of critical minerals respects local rights, integrates community knowledge, and builds trust in sustainable resource development.
João is a Senior E&S Specialist with 20+ years’ experience managing environmental and social risks across Latin America and Africa in infrastructure, mining, agribusiness, and other sectors.
Coauthor 1: Pablo Taborga