Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Brazil would cooperate to expand their processing capacity, open battery plants and make EVs locally.

The miner's local unit warned of "exponential and irreparable" damage to the company and stakeholders, including the workforce.

BHP officials met with Argentinian authorities this week, expressing interest in increasing investments in the San Juan province.

Lydian broke ground at Amulsar in 2016, but development was indefinitely halted two years later over pressure from environmental activists.

Zircons are considered nature’s time capsules.