Ford has struck deals with Albemarle, SQM and Nemaska Lithium as availability and cost of crucial battery materials have been key concerns.

While geopolitical risk in South America is growing, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru remain mineral-rich hot spots with excellent potential for new discoveries.

The Chilean state miner has created two subsidiaries to run a newly mandated lithium business.

The board of directors is to analyze binding offers for a 10% stake that could be valued at $2.5 billion.

Work at the S11D mine is part of a plan to be able to supply 260 million tons from its northern operations by 2025.

Illegal miners bombed a tunnel, killing two people and injured another 14, including four police officers.

Vale would sell 10% of the unit worth around $2.5 billion, local newspaper reports.