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A Historical Mirror? The Saltpetre and the Lithium Eras in Chile

Rodríguez-Morales, Alejandra LU (2022) EKHS42 20221
Department of Economic History
Abstract
The current Lithium Era of Chile shares many similarities with the Saltpetre Era that took place in the country decades ago. To understand whether there is a historical mirror between both, this paper uses a synthetic control method to carry out a regional comparison of the effect of saltpetre mining, and several forecasts to anticipate what to expect from the development of the lithium sector in Chile.
Overall, results support a positive view of the effects of saltpetre in the country, with a milder impact in the region where it was developed Norte Grande than has been assumed so far. For its part, Chile's lithium production is expected to increase, but predictions also alert that it will entail negative socio-environmental... (More)
The current Lithium Era of Chile shares many similarities with the Saltpetre Era that took place in the country decades ago. To understand whether there is a historical mirror between both, this paper uses a synthetic control method to carry out a regional comparison of the effect of saltpetre mining, and several forecasts to anticipate what to expect from the development of the lithium sector in Chile.
Overall, results support a positive view of the effects of saltpetre in the country, with a milder impact in the region where it was developed Norte Grande than has been assumed so far. For its part, Chile's lithium production is expected to increase, but predictions also alert that it will entail negative socio-environmental externalities.
Although the Lithium Era closely resembles the Saltpetre Cycle, Chile still has a chance to learn from the past. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rodríguez-Morales, Alejandra LU
supervisor
organization
course
EKHS42 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Energy transition, green economy, neo-extractivism, Chile, natural resources, lithium, saltpetre, synthetic control method, forecasting.
language
English
id
9090673
date added to LUP
2022-06-28 10:16:51
date last changed
2022-06-28 10:16:51
@misc{9090673,
  abstract     = {{The current Lithium Era of Chile shares many similarities with the Saltpetre Era that took place in the country decades ago. To understand whether there is a historical mirror between both, this paper uses a synthetic control method to carry out a regional comparison of the effect of saltpetre mining, and several forecasts to anticipate what to expect from the development of the lithium sector in Chile.
Overall, results support a positive view of the effects of saltpetre in the country, with a milder impact in the region where it was developed Norte Grande than has been assumed so far. For its part, Chile's lithium production is expected to increase, but predictions also alert that it will entail negative socio-environmental externalities.
Although the Lithium Era closely resembles the Saltpetre Cycle, Chile still has a chance to learn from the past.}},
  author       = {{Rodríguez-Morales, Alejandra}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{A Historical Mirror? The Saltpetre and the Lithium Eras in Chile}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}