Lithium mining decisions must be in the public interest, Chile economy minister says
At the end of the day, companies’ strategic decisions must be aligned with national interests, says Economy Minister Nicolas Grau.
At the end of the day, companies’ strategic decisions must be aligned with national interests, says Economy Minister Nicolas Grau.
The world's largest producer of lithium wants to grow in Chile and in the Atacama salt flat with new technologies.
The company is “convinced” that its technology and experience “will make it possible to reach reasonable agreements in the interest of the Chilean state.
The country nationalized its copper sector in 1971, provoking international outrage, particularly in the United States.
Capital needed to achieve results in line with the firm's environmental sustainability goals, which it said also align with the government's lithium strategy.
The initiative seeks to secure domestic supply of materials used in manufacturing electric car engines and batteries.
“Money is a coward — it runs away at the first sign of trouble,” the chairman of Ivanhoe Mines said.
Major carmakers have already been looking for new lithium supplies in the United States, Europe and Africa.
Neighboring Chile last week unveiled plans for a state-led public-private model.
DLE technologies are designed to extract the metal using filters, membranes, ceramic beads or other equipment.