RE: 9 may was the last day10 May 2024 13:05
1. Uranium One Group JSC (Russia):
o Uranium One Group, a Russian company, is one of the newly authorized entities.
o They will operate in two minor salt flats located in Bolivia’s southern Altiplano: Pastos Grandes and Coipasa.
o The goal is for their plant to produce 25,000 tons/year of battery-grade lithium carbonate.
2. Citic Guoan (China):
o Citic Guoan, a Chinese company, is the other authorized participant.
o They will work in the northern area of the Uyuni salt flat, which happens to be the largest salt flat in Bolivia.
o Their target is also to produce 25,000 tons/year of battery-grade lithium carbonate.
3. CBC Consortium (China):
o The Chinese consortium CBC, consisting of CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.), BRUNP (CATL’s recycling subsidiary), and CMOC (China Molybdenum Co., Ltd.), was previously selected.
o They will invest a substantial $1.4 billion in the exploitation of lithium.
o Their focus is on developing sustainable methods for lithium extraction.
4. Overall Objective:
o The combined efforts of these three companies aim to make Bolivia the main supplier of battery-grade lithium carbonate in South America by 2025.
o This ambitious goal surpasses current lithium producers in the region, including Chile (producing 40,000 tons/year) and Argentina (exporting 6,000 tons/year).
5. Direct Extraction Technology:
o These companies are part of a group that was shortlisted for their ability to operate the experimental “direct extraction” technology.
o Unlike conventional brine evaporation methods, this technology does not use evaporation pools.
o However, some experts remain skeptical about its productivity and environmental impact due to uncertainties regarding water usage.