James Cameron feels he ‘walked into an ambush’ in Argentine lithium dispute

44

James Cameron, the renowned movie director behind “Avatar” and “Titanic,” expressed his dismay at feeling caught off guard during his recent visit to Argentina. He believes there was a deliberate attempt to exploit his environmentalist image to promote lithium mining operations, despite the opposition from Indigenous communities.

Cameron revealed on Friday that he would redirect his attention and financial support from his Avatar Alliance Foundation towards assisting Indigenous communities in South America who oppose lithium mining. Speaking to journalists in Buenos Aires, he stated, “Ironically, as a result of this experience, I am now aware of the problem and will utilize my foundation to address Indigenous rights concerning lithium extraction.”

Initially, Cameron traveled to Argentina to deliver a motivational speech on environmental causes at a sustainability conference in Buenos Aires. However, during his visit to the northern Jujuy province, he was taken to a large solar power plant without prior knowledge of the discussion involving lithium.

Following his visit, Governor Gerardo Morales expressed gratitude to Cameron on social media, mentioning the province’s aspirations for transforming the energy sector through projects like the solar power plant and “lithium extraction.”

Unbeknownst to Cameron, he had received a letter from a coalition of 33 Indigenous communities in the region, urging him to cancel his trip or meet with them to learn about their longstanding opposition to lithium mining, which they believe infringes upon their land rights and harms the environment.

Feeling blindsided, Cameron admitted to journalists that he felt he had unintentionally become entangled in a situation he was unaware of, stating, “I feel like I walked into an ambush.” He also emphasized that he did not possess complete knowledge of how this “ambush” had transpired but suspected an attempt to manipulate his image. Cameron believed that by appearing to support lithium mining, there could be an insinuation of his endorsement, drawing on the overarching message of “Avatar,” which revolves around the conflict between extraction industries and Indigenous rights.

In their letter, the Indigenous communities referenced “Avatar” and drew parallels between their plight in Jujuy and the fictional world of Pandora, where the Na’vi fight against colonizing miners.

Before departing from Argentina, Cameron met with Verónica Chávez, a representative from one of the Indigenous communities in Jujuy.

Argentina ranks as the fourth-largest global producer of lithium and forms part of the “lithium triangle” alongside Chile and Bolivia. This region holds a significant portion of the world’s proven lithium reserves and is witnessing a surge in demand due to the global shift towards renewable energy and the increasing popularity of electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lithium mining controversy

More about Lithium mining controversy

• James Cameron: I ‘walked into an ambush’ in Argentine lithium dispute
• James Cameron feels he ‘walked into an ambush’ in Argentine lithium dispute
• James Cameron says he ‘walked into an ambush’ in Argentina over lithium mining controversy
• Argentina’s ‘lithium triangle’ powers the future
• The lithium triangle: South America’s lithium boom