2024-01-13 03:13:09
The lithium triangle has the largest lithium reserves in the world. Photo: LR composition. Video: FRANCE 24 Spanish
In the heart of South America there is a country that emerges as the undisputed leader in lithium reserves, surpassing its neighbors: Peru, Chile and Argentina. This element—key to the renewable energy and electromobility revolution—is found in abundance in the salar de Uyuniwhich houses the largest lithium reserve in the world.
He lithium is a vital element for battery technology and the move towards a sustainable energy future, it is found abundantly in South Americaespecially in three countries in the so-called ‘lithium triangle’which house a significant part of the world’s reserves of this valuable resource.
The ‘lithium triangle’. Photo: The World Order
Bolivia, the country with the largest lithium reserves in the world
Bolivia has regarding 21 million tons of lithium, placing it at the top of world reserves, according to Bloomberg. However, it faces challenges in infrastructure and technology for its effective exploitation. Despite this, the Andean nation has big plans for the development of its lithium industry, seeking to not only extract the mineral, but also process it and become a key player in the global supply chain.
While Bolivia is still in the initial stages of exploiting this resource, countries such as Chile and Argentina They have already established their position in the global lithium market.
The growing demand for this mineral, driven by the battery and electric vehicle industry, has put Latin America in the focus of global energy geopolitics.
Which countries export the most lithium in the world?
Chile, Australia y Argentina They lead the production and export of lithium worldwide. Australia tops the list with significant production, closely followed by Chile, which takes advantage of its salt flats in the Atacama Desert, according to the cited source.
Argentina It also plays an important role, especially in the Puna region. These countries have positioned themselves strategically in the market, taking advantage of the growing demand and technological advances in lithium extraction and processing. The list with the countries that export the most lithium:
- Chile: 9,300,000 tons
- Australia: 6,200,000 tons
- Argentina: 2,700,000 tons
- China: 2,000,000 tons
- United States: 1,000,000 tons
- Canada: 930,000 tons
- Zimbabwe: 310,000 tons
- Brazil: 250,000 tons
- Portugal: 60,000 tons.
Much of Bolivia’s lithium is found in abundance in the Uyuni salt flat. Photo: diffusion
The importance of lithium in the world
Lithium has become a global strategic resource, essential for the transition towards clean energy and electromobility. Its demand has skyrocketed due to the growing market for batteries for electronic devices and electric vehicles.
Latin America, with its vast reserves, plays a crucial role in the supply chain of this mineral, facing the challenge of balancing economic exploitation with environmental sustainability and social development.
Lithium is considered the “new gasoline”
The high demand for lithium exceeds truly surprising market shares. Its price has more than doubled, and analysts predict that it will go even higher in the coming years.
In the world there is a special area, which is called the Lithium Triangle, which is located in South America between Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. There are 85% of all world reserves of this soft metal.
How is lithium extracted from the ground?
Lithium is extracted from three types of deposits: pegmatites, brines and sedimentary rocks. Brine deposits represent around 66% of global lithium resources and are mainly found in the salt flats of Chile, Argentina, China y Tibet.
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