of lithium-bearing salt flats that will be open to private investors with the goal of increasing local production of the battery metal by 70% in a decade, but asannounced a year ago. The model calls for public-private alliances in future projects, with state firms controlling partnerships in the most promising areas, while private firms can have the majority in projects located in less strategic zones.
Atacama and Maricunga, the two salt flats deemed strategic and as such reserved to state-controlled partnerships, host a combined lithium potential of 10.8 million tonnes, corresponding to 64% of global reserves. Officials also announced the state will create a network of protected salt flats, which will not be touched as they are located in National Parks and other environmentally critical protected areas.Chile is the world’s top copper producer and the second-largest producer of lithium after Australia. Both metals are considered vital commodities for the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies.
The government is trying to juggle securing state control of the industry while attracting more private capital, defending the environment and moving further down the value chain. Last year, it tasked state-owned copper producer Codelco to negotiate partnerships with each company.
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