China To Develop Bolivian Lithium Deposit

A giant Chinese battery company, Catl, has won a bidding process to develop Bolivia’s huge lithium reserves.

Report says the ultra-light metal is used in electric vehicles, EV batteries, production of which is expected to soar as fossil fuels are phased out.

Bolivian President, Luis Arce said the Catl-led consortium was launching the “historic industrialization” of lithium in Bolivia.

Meanwhile, more than $1bn will be invested in the project’s first phase, he said.

Australia and Chile are the world’s biggest lithium producers, but Bolivia has huge reserves in the Potosi and Oruro salt flats.

Technical hurdles and a lack of infrastructure have long delayed the extraction of lithium in Bolivia, whose reserves are estimated at 21m tonnes.

Mr. Arce said Bolivia was still negotiating with other foreign companies for potential partnerships.

He said the goal was to start exporting lithium batteries in the first quarter of 2025.

Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile share an expanse of salt flats, or salars, called the “lithium triangle”, holding more than 75% of the world’s lithium deposits.

While Australia and Chile are the world’s biggest lithium producers, but Bolivia has huge reserves in the Potosi and Oruro salt flats.

Technical hurdles and a lack of infrastructure have long delayed the extraction of lithium in Bolivia, whose reserves are estimated at 21m tonnes.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere