Works begin in Chile on a lithium project for 700 million dollars

After having all the legal authorizations, including the approved Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA) and a favorable Indigenous consultation, Minera Salar Blanco announced the start of works this 2023 for the production of lithium in “Proyecto Blanco”, located 170 kilometers to the northwest of Copiapó, in Chile.

The initiative, which covers 2,563 hectares in the Salar de Maricunga, is the most advanced lithium operation in South America and will be the first in the Atacama Region and the third nationwide, after Albemarle and SQM.

As reported by the company, the initial investment is 700 million dollars, generating an economic activity for the Atacama Region and the country that is estimated at 2,100 million dollars, positioning Region III on the world lithium map.

The Blanco Project will produce 20,000 tons of lithium carbonate of the highest grade annually for 20 years, which corresponds to the useful life of Minera Salar Blanco’s assets. With this production, the company expects to supply the growing global demand for this non-metallic mineral from Chile, together with contributing to the supply of the national industry as it develops.

Cristóbal García Huidobro, general manager of Minera Salar Blanco, explained that considering that any new process that begins now will take at least 10 years to materialize, it is of great value that there is a company like Mineral Salar Blanco that is ready to start producing. the best Chilean lithium and one of the best in the world.