The Atacama Salt Flat in Chile was born free 2,500 million years ago, in the aridest desert of the world (Atacama desert), as a complex ecosystem that has shown to be highly sensitive and vulnerable to climate changes and human interventions. Since 1980 that mining operations have occupied it, affecting its natural dynamics. Today, the mining operations are expanding through the Salt Flat, from its nucleus towards its surroundings because of the intense exploitation of lithium that is supposed to be the solution to carry on “energy transition” in a context of worldwide environmental emergency.

But the Salt Flat speaks on its own and tell the seriousness of the consequences: its exploitation is unaware of Puri (waters)in the Atacama salt flat basin; they dry up their water sources, degrade their vegetation and extinguish their species. As consequence, its sacred and ancient value is destroyed and so is the information it houses regarding the survival of us all as humanity. In the context of the planetary crisis, the salt flat and Puri ask for their freedom from all the mining occupations so they can continue their millennial commitments to be forgers of life.

As the COP26 arrives, please support us so that together we can achieve the liberation of the Atacama Salt Flat and Puri!