Bolivia's government has signed a $1b deal with a subsidiary of CATL, one of the world's largest lithium producers, to build two direct lithium extraction plants in the Uyuni salt flats.
How much will Bolivia invest in lithium?
The total investment in the Bolivian lithium industry is expected to reach around $9.9 billion. This follows a deal between Bolivia's state-run lithium company, Yacimientos del Litio Bolivianos (YLB), and a Chinese consortium. CATL agreed to invest over $1 billion in the project's first stage for rights to develop the two lithium plants.
Will China invest $1 billion in lithium batteries in Bolivia?
(IC Photo) The Bolivian government has chosen a Chinese consortium led by battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology to invest upward of $1 billion to develop untapped lithium deposits, with the ambitious goal of producing lithium batteries in the country by 2025.
Does Bolivia have a lithium plant?
This follows a deal between Bolivia's state-run lithium company, Yacimientos del Litio Bolivianos (YLB), and a Chinese consortium. CATL agreed to invest over $1 billion in the project's first stage for rights to develop the two lithium plants. Despite being a global leader in electric vehicle batteries, CATL does not currently produce any lithium.
Will Bolivia build a lithium plant in the salt flats?
The agreement focuses on Bolivia's salt flats, known for their vast lithium resources. Bolivian President Luis Arce confirmed the plan to build two lithium plants in the country's Uyuni and Oruro salt flats after meeting with CATL executives. He announced a $1.4 billion investment and hinted at possible future investments up to 2028.
Will Bolivia produce lithium batteries by 2025?
The Bolivian government has chosen a Chinese consortium led by battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology to invest upward of $1 billion to develop untapped lithium deposits, with the ambitious goal of producing lithium batteries in the country by 2025. Bolivia has the largest lithium reserves in the world but little local means to develop them.
Will Bolivia and China extract lithium from South America?
Bolivia and China have signed an agreement for the extraction of lithium from the South American country. The service contract, worth US$1.03 billion, will enable the development of the final engineering design, construction and operation of a plant that will produce 10,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year.