Chilean state mining firm Enami reports significant interest from potential partners for its Altoandinos lithium project, aligning with President Gabriel Boric’s initiative to leverage the country’s vast lithium reserves.
This project is a key part of the government’s strategy to double the output of this crucial battery metal.
The early-stage Altoandinos project, consisting of three undeveloped salt flats in the Atacama region, is projected to produce 20,000 metric tons of lithium by 2032, with plans to triple output by 2037.
While the state will control projects in the two largest salt flats, Enami has the flexibility to negotiate terms with private partners.
Enami recently announced promising initial results from a $10.5 million drilling campaign at the Aguilar salt flat, revealing an average lithium concentration of 740 milligrams per liter in brine samples.
Enami CEO Ivan Mlynarz hopes these results will attract partners to fund, develop, and operate the project. Firms have until Friday to express their interest.
“We have high interest from relevant companies in the sector,” Enami stated via text message on Tuesday, without providing further details.
Additionally, Enami is conducting indigenous consultations as part of the permitting process. Meanwhile, 30 companies and consortia, including Rio Tinto Plc and Schlumberger, are participating in selecting a direct lithium extraction (DLE) methodology.
Chile advocates for DLE as an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional evaporation method.
