Rio Tinto & BYD submit proposals for lithium development in Chile's Altoandinos
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Update time : 2024-07-30 14:33:42
Twelve companies, including global miner Rio Tinto and Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, have submitted proposals to extract lithium in Chile's Altoandinos salt flats, according to the announcement from the state mining company ENAMI.
Located in the northern Atacama region, the Altoandinos salt flats are part of the Chilean government's plan to boost lithium production through new projects in partnership with the state. ENAMI began its search in May, seeking partners to provide financial backing or operational support for a yet-to-be-determined ownership stake.
Besides Rio Tinto and BYD, applicants include France's publicly listed miner Eramet, South Korea's battery maker LG Energy Solution and steel company Posco, and Chilean construction group Belsaco. Other contenders are Argentina's Tecpetrol, Russia's Axionit, Canada's Summit Nanotech, Chile's Grupo Errazuriz, and China's CNRG and consortium BTR.
Chile, the world's second-largest lithium producer, sees this initiative as crucial for electric vehicle battery production. ENAMI will announce eligible companies on August 19 before entering negotiations with the final round of applicants.
