Sophia Pickles

MANONO – Before a single ounce of lithium left Manono’s soil, millions had already changed hands in boardrooms and backchannels. To reveal this, the journalists had to follow millions of data points, tangled company networks, and a cast of well-connected power brokers.

MANONO - In recent years global demand for lithium has grown at the fastest pace among all of the world’s major minerals according to the International Energy Association (IEA). A rush to explore for and mine the mineral is taking place worldwide. Communities, the environment and associated livelihoods around the world are being put at risk by mining enterprises looking for lithium.