The Dig Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Nov 13, 2025
Thea Riofrancos is a political scientist and author of "Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism," specializing in resource politics. She delves into the complexities of lithium mining and its geopolitical implications, connecting it to colonial history and indigenous rights. Discussion highlights include the impact of lithium extraction on water resources in Chile, global anti-mining resistance movements, and the balance between urgent climate action and local environmental concerns. Thea also explores how current mining practices interconnect with global economic shifts.
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Why Lithium Is Central To Electrification
- Renewable electrification needs storage because solar and wind are intermittent and site-specific.
- Lithium batteries uniquely enable both grid-scale storage and electric mobility, making lithium central to the energy transition.
Massive Mining Is Built Into Current Models
- The energy transition will dramatically expand mining demand across many minerals, not just lithium.
- Forecasts suggest hundreds of new mines are needed, creating massive environmental impacts and social trade-offs.
Green Capitalism As A Political Project
- 'Green capitalism' names the economic and political project that labels activities as green and channels investment into them.
- It highlights how state direction and finance, not pure market forces, enable today's green industry buildout.
