This video shared on TikTok on April 14, 2022, claims to show a lithium mine while warning against owning electric cars.
Background
Calls for clean energy and favorable policies have driven this surging demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs). According to a report by the International Energy Agency, sales of electric cars in 2021 nearly doubled to 6.6 million compared to 2020.
However, electric vehicles have their limitations, including high costs and unavailable recharging infrastructure. Lithium is a core component in the batteries of electric vehicles, therefore, a rise in demand for EVs results in a high demand for lithium.
Verification
A reverse image search of the photo reveals that the image shows the Escondida copper mine in Atacama Desert, Northern Chile. Oil Price describes Escondida as the largest copper ore in the world, accounting for approximately 10%-15% of Chile’s GDP. See the screen grab below.
Verdict
The claim that the image shows a Lithium mine is FALSE.
This fact-check was produced by Africa Uncensored with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck, the International Fact-Checking Network, and the African Fact-Checking Alliance network.
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