Codelco, the Chilean state-owned company, has announced plans to commence lithium exploration in the Pedernales salt flat in the second half of this year. This initiative is part of the national policy on lithium, aimed at securing the State’s involvement in the crucial mineral industry for electric batteries. President Gabriel Boric’s government has tasked Codelco with increasing control in strategic salt flats like Atacama and Maricunga through public-private partnerships.
President Boric’s government recognizes the importance of lithium to the growth of the electric vehicle industry, and wants to ensure that Chile remains a major player in this sector. To achieve this goal, Codelco will be allowed to form alliances with private entities in other salt flats such as Pedernales. However, there will be more flexibility in the participation and control structures than in previous partnerships with Atacama and Maricunga.
Codelco aims to strategically leverage its resources and expertise to advance its lithium exploration efforts and contribute to the growth of the electric vehicle industry. By working closely with private partners, Codelco hopes to gain access to new technologies and innovative approaches that can help it extract more lithium from these salt flats than ever before. Ultimately, this collaboration will help Chile maintain its position as one of the world’s largest producers of lithium.