The move will make Tesla the only major automaker in North America that will refine its own lithium.

Minas Gerais will welcome “investors from all over the world” to Vale do Jequitinhonha, said governor Romeu Zema.

Market is expected to remain in a deficit in 2023 but conditions will not be as tight as previous years, according to the investment bank.

There will also be discussions on other bills regarding the minimum wage and the mining royalty.

"His words disregarded facts and confounded black with white. The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this," the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said.

Chile and Albemarle could cement their dominant role in the global lithium and EV industries if they can get one or more DLE technology to succeed.

The Fraser Institute's Annual Survey of Mining Companies places Western Australia second, and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan third.