Lithium tug of war: the US-China rivalry for Argentina’s white gold
As global competition hots up to secure lithium supplies for batteries, China is boosting its investments in Argentina while the US courts President Javier Milei
For Climate Change News + El Pais
With David Feliba

_ View of the facilities of the Tolar Grande train station. Today it is only used for freight trains. Wednesday May 1, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ The soccer playground during a match to celebrate the international workers day in Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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ARGENTINA : Lithium in Salta Province Maribel Soriano: Tolar Grande Resident in the soccer playground in Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ View of the facilities of the Tolar Grande train station. Today it is only used for freight trains. Wednesday May 1, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ View of the city hall of Tolar Grande. May 2, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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ARGENTINA : Lithium in Salta Province Sergio Villanueva, mayor of Tolar Grande poses for a portrait in his office in Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ View of the cone of Arica, in the Arizaro salt flat, with a surface of 1600 km² at 3460 m asl. It is the third largest salt flat in the Central Andes, near Tolar Grande. Thursday May 2, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ A sign of Litica ressources around "Rio grande" salt flat from provincial route 127 near Tolar Grande. Friday May 3, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ Mountains around "rio grande" salt flat on provincial route 127 near Tolar Grande. Friday May 3, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ A group of vicuñas in La Casualidad Mine, a town and mining project at 4180 m a.s.l., closed in 1979 and abandoned since then. Friday May 3, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ View of La Casualidad Mine, a town and mining project at 4180 m a.s.l., closed in 1979 and abandoned since then. Friday May 3, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ Lithium exploration in the Arizaro salt flat, with an area of 1600 km² at 3460 m asl. It is the third largest salt flat in the Central Andes, near Tolar Grande. Thursday May 2, 2024. Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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ARGENTINA : Lithium in Salta Province Marta Ríos, works in the civil registry of the municipality and in the emergency radio, in Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ A calendar sponsored by 3 mining companies at "Mimi", a canteen for tourists and mining workers in Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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ARGENTINA : Lithium in Salta Province Mimi owns a canteen for tourists and mining workers in Tolar Grande, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ village of Pocitos, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. The llamas need the water of the meadow. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ A truck at the entrance of Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ View of the Pocitos flat salt, Pocitos, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. The llamas need the water of the meadow. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ Workers in charge of drilling for lithium mining companies celebrate international workers' day in a canteen. Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. Pocitos, Province of Salta, Argentina. Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra
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_ A llama breeding farm in Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes, Salta Province, Argentina on May 2024. The llamas need the water of the meadow. PHOTOGRAPHER : Anita Pouchard Serra
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