VIDEO - The moment of truth for Bolivia's lithium

Greet Brauwers, Raf Custers

The great salt lake of Uyuni in southern Bolivia holds half of the world's reserves of lithium. This raw material is used in rechargeable batteries for electric cars. The first indigenous president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, is committed to ensuring that his people reap the benefits of their natural resources. Many foreign corporations are eager for extraction contracts. Morales however decreed that the state would take full control of the exploitation of lithium. But Bolivia’s lack of infrastructure and expertise raises doubt on whether Bolivia will be able to capitalize on its resource.

Director: Raf Custers & Greet Brauwers
Camera & edit: Greet Brauwers
With the support of Fonds Pascal Decroos & Gresea

This is a trailer. Watch the long version (Dutch): dewereldmorgen.be/video/2010/12/19/lithium-een-vloek-een-zegen-voor-bolivia