Will Bolivia develop a lithium extraction plant in its salt flats?

Bolivia aims to develop plants in seven of its 28 salt flats. (Image courtesy of YLB.) Bolivia state-owned Yacimientos de Litio Boliviano (YLB) has shortlisted four companies to advance into the next phase of a bid to develop pilot lithium extraction plants in the country’s salt flats.

Does Bolivia have a lithium industry?

The South American landlocked country has a history of unfulfilled lithium dreams. It has tried and failed to develop its industry several times since the 1990s, producing only an accumulated 1,400 tonnes since 2018. In late 2023, Bolivia opened its first industrial-scale lithium plant.

Where can lithium be extracted from brine in Bolivia?

The tender, launched earlier this year, aims to develop plants in seven of Bolivia’s 28 salt flats, including Uyuni, Coipasa, Pastos Grandes, Capina, Cañapa, Chiguana, and Empexa. CBC submitted a plan to extract lithium from residual brine through the adsorption method.

How much lithium will Bolivia produce in 2023?

In late 2023, Bolivia opened its first industrial-scale lithium plant. The $100 million facility is expected to produce as much as 15,000 tons of lithium carbonate a year. Initial output won’t be battery grade and the plant will reach full capacity in 2025.

Who is developing cathode materials for lithium batteries?

The government has also tied up with Altmin, an India-based firm, to develop the technology of cathode materials for lithium batteries. China's CBC, Italy's Protecno, France's Eramet and Australia's Eau Lithium have made it to the second round of the tender.

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