Climate

Photographer Tom Hegen’s aerial eye reveals the true scale of the critical mineral age

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 28/10/2026, 02:24:25 UTC.

Briefings

Chilean photographer Tom Hegen documented lithium mining impacts in the Atacama Desert using aerial photography over six years. His images reveal hidden environmental consequences including mercury-discolored waterways, mining waste piles, and smothered fishing grounds. Lithium demand is projected to surge 25 times current mining rates, making the landscape a critical indicator of the energy transition's scale.

Key points

• Tom Hegen documented lithium mining impacts in Chile's Atacama Desert using aerial photography over six years.
• Lithium demand is projected to surge 25 times current mining rates, making the landscape a critical indicator of the energy transition's scale.

Context

Chilean photographer Tom Hegen documented lithium mining impacts in Chile's Atacama Desert using aerial photography over six years. His images reveal hidden environmental consequences including mercury-discolored waterways, mining waste piles, and smothered fishing grounds. Lithium demand is projected to surge 25 times current mining rates, making the landscape a critical indicator of the energy transition's scale.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to Hegen's six-year aerial photography project in Chile's Atacama Desert. No data on mining volume, environmental impact metrics, or regional statistics are provided. The article does not contain direct quotes from Hegen regarding his methodology or specific findings, and no additional background context on lithium supply chains is supplied.

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