Chile will begin talks with SQM over its operations within the Atacama “this semester” to persuade the world’s No. 2 lithium mining firm to signal onto a state-led public-private mannequin, aiming to wrap up a dialogue in the course of the present authorities, the economic system minister stated Monday.
In his first interview with worldwide media, because the authorities final week introduced plans for state management of the metallic key for electrical car batteries, Economy Minister Nicolas Grau instructed Reuter’s state miner Codelco would begin talks over public-private lithium manufacturing “as soon as possible.”
While Codelco dominates copper output in Chile, the world’s prime copper producer, the state has but to supply lithium.
“Codelco’s conversations with the companies that operate in the Salar de Atacama, particularly with SQM, which ends its contract in 2030, is something that will begin immediately during this semester,” Grau stated.
He added that progress was additionally anticipated with U.S.-based Albemarle Corp, the world’s prime lithium producer, whose contract expires in 2043.
Albemarle and Santiago-based SQM are the one two lithium producers in Chile and function within the Atacama salt flat, which has 90% of the Andean nation’s lithium reserves. Stocks for each corporations plummeted on Friday following President Gabriel Boric’s nationalization announcement.
“Regarding the conversations related to the Salar de Atacama, I want to be very clear on this, it is something that is going to be defined during this government,” Grau stated, including that there aren’t any concrete deadlines, however all actors are conscious of the urgency concerned. The subsequent nationwide election is scheduled for 2025.
The technique features a new nationwide lithium firm, which Congress should approve, however Grau stated the federal government believes Codelco has the “capacity to assume new challenges” in addition to the “scale and know-how” to cope with lithium.
Grau added that Codelco can begin shifting ahead with establishing public-private partnerships with corporations which have superior explorations within the Maricunga salt flat.
For different salt flats, Grau stated the agreements will depend upon the event timelines, productive and strategic worth of every challenge.
“It is reasonable to leave some space so that the concrete public-private structuring of each salt flat depends on the interest of each one,” Grau stated, including that Boric famous that the federal government “management will probably be reserved for salt flats thought-about being strategic.
Chile, which holds the world’s largest lithium reserves and is the second-largest producer globally, primarily produces the white metallic from salt lakes, somewhat than from onerous rock mines.
Grau added that the federal government will begin internet hosting talks with native and Indigenous communities within the Atacama salt flat early on. Some communities have had robust opposition to lithium tasks, however the authorities has stated it will elevate manufacturing whereas caring for ecosystems.
The minister stated that many of the steps to implement the brand new lithium technique will probably be carried out this 12 months, however the creation of a brand new nationwide lithium firm can take longer.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
