Collaboration to promote responsible handling of lithium in Chile.

Large lithium reserves and a significant share of the current output are located in the Salar de Atacama. The overarching goal of this partnership was to promote a dialogue between local stakeholders based on scientific facts, to review these facts, and to seek solutions through a participatory process. The outcome was a multi-stakeholder roundtable known as Mesa Multiactor. With the establishment of an independent foundation that will continue the work of Mesa Multiactor, Mercedes-Benz and the other companies have completed their commitment to this project in 2025. The insights gained will serve as a blueprint for future projects.

Both electromobility and increasing digitalisation will create a rising demand for lithium in battery production in years to come. Lithium is one of 24 raw materials Mercedes-Benz has identified where their use, extraction, or processing is potentially critical from a human rights’ perspective.

Raw material assessments conducted under the umbrella of our Human Rights Respect System create transparency in supply chains and identify measures to reduce risks. Our raw material assessment for lithium revealed that some of the lithium in our supply chains comes from Australia, while Chile, and specifically the Salar de Atacama region, is another source.

Not only is the Salar de Atacama’s ecosystem fragile; there is also a lack of scientific knowledge and societal consensus on the impact of economic activities, particularly lithium mining. Potential risks from brine and water use, such as a sinking water table, could affect the ecosystem and people’s livelihoods. Water scarcity therefore plays a key role, as does the protection of valuable habitats and biodiversity in the Salar de Atacama.

In 2021, the Responsible Lithium Partnership was launched to promote a more sustainable use of natural resources in the Salar de Atacama, and financed by the Mercedes-Benz Group, BASF SE, the BMW Group, Daimler Truck AG, Fairphone, and the Volkswagen Group. The partnership was coordinated by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) with the aim of finding common ground and creating a multi-stakeholder roundtable (Mesa Multiactor). The latter’s mission was to promote the sustainable use and protection of water resources in the Salar de Atacama by 2030 through inclusive dialogue between the various stakeholders.

Some 20 stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives of indigenous communities, civil society, academia, and the public and private sectors, are now working together in the Salar de Atacama as part of the multi-stakeholder roundtable.

At a total of 26 roundtable meetings from September 2021 to the end of 2024, the participants developed a joint action plan with the aim of protecting the catchment area’s water resources and managing them more sustainably. Of the 30 measures agreed on, 15 had already been fully implemented by February 2025, including a register of all water rights’ holders, geological and hydrological mapping, water scarcity campaigns, improving drinking water supplies for local communities, and recycling gray water. Mesa Multiactor additionally reviewed more than 300 studies and reports on water in the Salar de Atacama and made them available in a public library to close existing information gaps.

Since February 2025, the multi-stakeholder roundtable has been continuing its work in Chile as an independent foundation. This has laid the foundations for ensuring sustainable change in the Salar de Atacama beyond the project period financed by the above-mentioned companies.

The Responsible Lithium Partnership delivered valuable insights for more responsible use of natural resources, and especially lithium. The aim is to transfer the knowledge gained to future projects and other raw materials:

• Involving a wide range of different stakeholders is key to improving the situation for local people.
• Reducing information asymmetries and ensuring transparent communication are important prerequisites for enabling all stakeholders to engage in discussions on an equal footing.
• Building trust plays an important role in successful conflict resolution. To this end, it is essential that all participants have an equal voice in discussions and decisions in an open and safe space.
• Trust in other stakeholders is strengthened by jointly developing, prioritizing, and implementing measures, and this visualizes the success of the collaboration.

The concluding assessment of Mesa Multiactor confirmed its positive impact on trust and cooperation. 60% of those familiar with the project stated that the roundtable had improved relations between local stakeholders and their collaboration. The open exchange of ideas was particularly valuable, as it enabled early conflict detection and promoted a common understanding of complex challenges.

This article was last updated in November 2025.