From the Upper Rhine to Argentina and Zimbabwe - Lithium mining, circular economy and the future of raw materials policy
Together with the Network Commodity Justice Baden-Württemberg and other partners, we examine the social, environmental and human rights dimensions of lithium mining – from the salt lakes in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile to Zimbabwe and the Upper Rhine Trench on our doorstep.
With its Lionheart project, Vulcan Energy is tapping into local lithium deposits and is an example of the questions that concern us in the raw material transition:
- What raw material requirements does Baden-Württemberg have?
- What responsibility arises along global value chains?
- How can circular economy and reduction be conceived and implemented as the cornerstone of a raw material turnaround?
In addition to input from academia and civil society, including on the implications of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, we will visit the Lionheart project on the ground and discuss how democratic dialogue can minimise conflicts and bring together development policy with local perspectives. This offers multipliers from politics, trade unions, social movements and civil society the opportunity to network and jointly develop approaches for a fair raw materials policy.
Events in Karlsruhe:
Monday 1 June – online introductory event;
Monday & Tuesday, 8th and 9th June, Karlsruhe
Participation fee 50€ (for organizations 100€) incl. board & one overnight stay. It should not fail at the money (please report in case of doubt to helen.levine@power-shift.de).
Organization: PowerShift e.V. Contact: Helen Levine, PowerShift e.V., helen.levine@power-shift.de
Registration until 04 May 2026
We ask for a short application with name and possibly organization (party/ NGO/ medium) and motivation to participate in crash course here in the registration form
