French
DeutschLithium mining in Bolivia
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Lithium Mining in Bolivia is a major industry. More than half of the world's known lithium reserves are located in the lithium triangle: an area that spans parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. Bolivia has the world's largest reserves – an estimated thirty-eight percent of the global total.[1] Bolivia makes up less than one percent of global production, while Chile and Argentina produce around forty-five percent.[2][3]
Several factors contribute to Bolivia's low production. One issue is the decentralization stemming from Bolivia's plurinational constitution framework for governing, adopted in 2009. This decentralization has prevented the national government to industrialize the industry without the consent of indigenous communities. Bolivia also rejected foreign investment, unlike the more successful countries.[1] Another issue is the more difficult process of extracting lithium from Bolivian salt flats.[4]
History
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In 2008, then president Evo Morales announced state control of the lithium industry by the state's lithium company Yacimientos del Litio Boliviano (YLB).[1] YLB has struggled to increase production, while attempts to work with private foreign companies, such as a 2018 deal with the German company ASISA, have been hindered by protests.[4]
Bolivian president Luis Arce is more supportive of foreign investment than Morales and has explored collaboration with outsiders, despite opposition from those that wish to limit foreign involvement.[4] In 2023, YLB made a deal with the Chinese battery company CATL to allow for the further industrialization of the industry. YLB is in talks with companies from the US, China, and Russia.[5]
Production
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Lithium extraction requires a substantial amount of water, which has led to water shortages near the mines. Sixty-five percent of the water supply in the Lithium Triangle has been consumed by extraction.[6]
See also
[edit]- List of countries by lithium production
- Mining in Bolivia
- Mining in Chile
- Mining in Argentina
- Lithium Triangle
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Sanchez-Lopez, Daniela (2019-11-02). "Sustainable Governance of Strategic Minerals: Post-Neoliberalism and Lithium in Bolivia". Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development. 61 (6): 18–30. Bibcode:2019ESPSD..61f..18S. doi:10.1080/00139157.2019.1662659. ISSN 0013-9157.
- ^ Quinn, Jack (November 6, 2023). "Latin America's Lithium Sands Are Shifting". Americas Quarterly. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Canada, Natural Resources (2022-01-18). "Lithium facts". natural-resources.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ a b c Davis, Jared (December 2020). "Bolivia's Lithium Future: A Second Chance?" (PDF). The Wilson Center's Latin American Program.
- ^ Ramos, Daniel (2023-01-20). "Bolivia taps Chinese battery giant CATL to help develop lithium riches".
- ^ Ahmad, Samar (2020). "The Lithium Triangle: Where Chile Argentina, and Bolivia Meet". Harvard International Review. 41 (1): 51–53. ISSN 0739-1854. JSTOR 26917284.