In the heart of Chile’s lithium-rich Atacama Desert, Indigenous communities are demanding a stronger role in shaping the future of the region’s booming battery metal industry. Talks are underway between local leaders and two mining powerhouses — state-owned copper giant Codelco and lithium producer SQM — as the companies finalize a joint venture that will bring the Chilean government into direct lithium production.

The negotiations, which began in earnest this March and are expected to wrap up by the end of the year, aim to establish a novel governance framework. This plan would grant the Indigenous Atacameño people, known as the Lickanantay, a formal voice in how lithium extraction unfolds on their ancestral lands.

“We’ve invited them to help build a governance model that genuinely includes and values the perspectives of Lickanantay communities in key decisions,” Codelco and SQM said in a joint statement to Reuters. The companies called the initiative "unprecedented" and pledged to align with international standards on Indigenous rights.

Community leaders from five villages nestled in the Andean foothills above the salt flats — a region supplying about 25% of the world’s lithium — emphasized the need for accountability, particularly around water conservation and environmental impact.

“Our land is not just a backdrop for mining operations,” said Sergio Cubillos, a community leader from Peine, a village overlooking the sprawling Atacama basin. “We want more than consultation — we want shared decision-making.”

While Indigenous participation could increase operational costs by pushing for tighter environmental regulations, the mining firms also see a strategic upside. In an era of growing concern over ethical sourcing, a partnership with local communities could help secure global buyers and avoid unrest.

The memory of mass protests in Panama, which forced the closure of a major copper mine in 2023, looms large. “The industry now understands that community pushback can halt operations and damage reputations,” said Yermin Basques, a leader in the village of Toconao.

Rather than corporate power, Basques said the communities are seeking consistent dialogue — such as regular meetings with board-level executives — to influence decisions about environmentally sustainable extraction methods and water stewardship.

“We’re not asking for seats on the board,” he said. “We’re asking to be heard when it comes to protecting our land and water.”

Though past discussions have been strained, recent collaboration has improved, particularly after local demonstrations disrupted SQM's logistics last year. The incidents highlighted how critical community support is to mining operations in the region.

“We’ve lived here for generations. We understand this land and its waters like no one else,” Basques said. “And if it comes to that, we can bring everything to a standstill.”

In a place where life endures in one of the driest environments on Earth, the communities are making it clear: lithium’s future must include their voice.