Bolivia gives that in its giant salt flats It hosts 30% of the world's lithium reserves. This assertion has sparked curiosity in a number of nations resembling Russia, China and India which have already had entry to the Andean authorities and have set their sights on the Bolivian mineral attributable to its simple extraction and low price.
Russia took the lead, Effectively, two weeks in the past the corporate Uranium One Group signed a contract with the state-owned Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) to construct a direct lithium extraction and carbonization plant, which has an funding of greater than 950 million dollars with it which is predicted. obtain 14,000 tons of ore per 12 months.
This manufacturing facility will likely be constructed within the Uyuni salt pan. – the biggest on this planet – which has an space of greater than 10,500 sq. kilometers.
Added to this are the agreements signed final 12 months between the Bolivian authorities and the Chinese language firms CATL BRUNP & MOC (CBC) and Citic Guoan for the design and development of lithium carbonate crops.
As well as, An settlement was signed with the Indian agency Altimin to develop know-how within the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.
However not solely these three nations are desirous about Bolivian lithium. France, Germany, China and South Korea, amongst others, are interested in this strategic useful resource, Héctor Córdova, former president of the Bolivian Mining Company (Comibol), instructed EFE.
Simple elimination and low price
Though lithium will not be a mineral unique to Bolivia, the truth that Within the nation of the Andes it’s present in a liquid state It’s a level in favor, Córdova assured.
“Lithium that’s extracted from brine, as within the case of Bolivia, is cheaper and simpler to extract, so on this planet in a means they search to have the safety of independence by way of the availability of strategic supplies , resembling lithium, in order that they attempt to safe the availability chain,” defined the previous president of Comibol.
An indication made from salt blocks with the emblem of Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB), also referred to as Depósitos de Litio Bolivianos, is seen on the Llipi manufacturing facility in Uyuni. Photograph by ReutersIn different nations resembling Argentina, Chile, Peru or Brazil, lithium is present in a strong state, so “Extraction is dearer.”
For Cordova, the quantity of lithium in Bolivia “is a powerful benefit” for any nation that wishes to maneuver within the know-how fields.
“Germany got here with this goalA contract was already concluded with a German firm, Russia, China, Korea and Japan are following the identical”, the specialist emphasised.
In late 2023, Bolivia inaugurated a lithium industrial complicated with an evaporation pool system that, nonetheless, is at the moment underneath scrutiny for alleged irregularities in its meeting.
The Bolivian authorities started in January of this 12 months a second worldwide name for exploiting evaporite assets, lithium and different minerals, in seven of its salts and to seize initiatives by way of Direct Lithium Extraction (EDL) know-how.
Thus, the Russian agency Uranium One Group has already signed a contract to hold out work utilizing EDL know-how.
Bolivia strengthens relations with Russia
Some analysts describe the connection between Bolivia and Russia as “shut”. after the approaches that its rulers Luis Arce and Vladimir Putin have just lately had.
Aerial view of a truck on a street crossing the southern flooded space of Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. AFP photographThe director of the Milenio Basis, Henry Oporto, instructed EFE that Russia and China mission their economies in Latin America. “The curiosity in taking management of Bolivia's lithium may be very evident,” he mentioned.
“Evidently Russia has its eyes on Bolivia, it’s clear that it has a political alliance with Russia.” he added.
The previous president of Comibol has agreed with Porto, however sees that this curiosity will not be just for lithium.
“It could be essential to see if Russia is trying to industrialize or extract different companions of the stone, resembling potassium, borax and magnesiumdifferent components which have nice worth and are in all probability in search of that,” mentioned Córdova.
For her half, Andrea Barrientos, opposition senator for the Civic Neighborhood (CC), instructed EFE that the Parliament is able to discover out if the contract signed with the Russian agency is unique. “In that case, we are going to oppose and we won’t approve the doc”, he assured.
The contract signed with the Russian firm have to be permitted by the Legislature to begin the development of the lithium extraction plant, however up to now it has not reached the related authorities, neither is the content material of the doc recognized.
Daniel Romero. EFE Company