Twelve prominent international companies have put forward proposals to mine lithium in the Altoandinos salt flats of northern Chile, according to the state mining company ENAMI. The list of contenders includes notable players such as global mining giant Rio Tinto and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD.
This move aligns with Chile’s strategic push to enhance its lithium production, a critical resource for electric vehicle batteries. The Altoandinos salt flats, located in the Atacama region, are a focal point for this expansion effort. ENAMI, which manages copper processing for local miners, is spearheading this initiative, seeking either financial or operational partnerships in exchange for an undisclosed stake in the project.
The array of applicants also features French mining company Eramet, South Korea’s LG Energy Solution and Posco, Chilean construction firm Belsaco, as well as several international entities including Argentina’s Tecpetrol, Russia’s Axionit, Canada’s Summit Nanotech, Chile’s Grupo Errazuriz, China’s CNRG, and the consortium BTR.
ENAMI is set to review the eligibility of these companies, with results expected to be announced on August 19. Following this, the qualified applicants will enter the negotiation phase. ENAMI’s chief, Ivan Mlynarz, emphasized the significance of these proposals, highlighting the commitment of the companies to engage in a public-private partnership for the project.
In parallel, state mining giant Codelco is also exploring partnerships for lithium extraction at the Maricunga salt flats, further indicating Chile’s robust drive to expand its lithium industry.
