News of Note 6/6/25: ADB Solar Loan Withdraw, Bolivia Pauses Global Lithium Deal, Xinka Reinforce No Consent for Mining

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Asian Development Bank withdraws loan for Assam solar power project (Down to Earth)
”The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has withdrawn a $434.25 million loan to a proposed 1000 MW Solar Park in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in Assam, following a request from the Union finance ministry. The ministry sought the withdrawal of the loan following a request from the Government of Assam, which faced stiff opposition from the local Karbi, Naga, Kachari and Adivasi communities. These communities had opposed the land diversion to the project, citing displacement of 24 villages in the project area.”

Bolivian court pauses Chinese, Russian lithium deals (Mining.com)
“The suspension order was issued last week by a mixed court of Colcha K, a village located in the Potosí region, after a legal complaint was filed by Indigenous groups arguing that the projects had violated their environmental rights and were allowed to proceed without formal consultation. Both projects have yet to receive legislative approvals but had already initiated preliminary activities on-site, which the local group claimed were conducted without proper authorization or environmental assessments.”

Guatemalan Indigenous People Bring Their Mine Battle to BC (The Tyee)
“Two Xinka representatives visited British Columbia last week to raise awareness and deliver a clear message to Pan American Silver, with the support of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. ‘We already said we don’t want this mining project in our territory,’ said Marisol Guerra, president of the Xinka commission of women and a delegate in the consultation process. ‘The community already decided, so we aren’t asking, we are demanding that they respect our decision.’ The Xinka Parliament represents about 260,000 Indigenous people. 

Debates Indígenas June 2025 via IWGIA

• Nickel for Electric Vehicles threatens key forests and the last nomadic tribes in Indonesia

• Bolivia: The Energy Transition and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Face of Critical Mineral Extraction

• Indigenous Peoples and the Energy Transition: Mining and Pollution in Argentina

• Friends of the Attawapiskat River and Indigenous Grassroots Advocacy for a Just Transition in Treaty 9 Territory

• What Does a Just Transition Look Like for Indigenous Peoples?

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• BDC, First Nations Bank launch $100M initiative to support business acquisitions (The Canadian Press)

• Cuts to USAID severed longstanding American support for Indigenous people around the world (Associated Press)

• The real cost of AI is being paid in deserts far from Silicon Valley (Rest of the World)