ENAMI launched its search in Could, looking for a accomplice to supply both monetary backing or operational help in Altoandinos, for an possession stake that has but to be decided.
Along with Rio Tinto and BYD, the candidates included publicly listed miner Eramet of France, battery maker LG Power Answer of South Korea, metal firm Posco, additionally from South Korea, and Chilean building group Belsaco.
The others have been Argentina’s Tecpetrol, Russia’s Axionit, Canada’s Summit Nanotech, Chile’s Grupo Errazuriz, and from China, CNRG and a consortium generally known as BTR.
Chile is the world’s second largest producer of lithium, a key materials for many batteries that energy electrical autos.
ENAMI will announce on Aug. 19 which corporations meet the eligibility necessities, earlier than shifting into negotiations with the ultimate spherical of candidates.
“This confirms the dedication of those corporations to proceed in a public-private partnership to make this undertaking occur,” ENAMI chief Ivan Mlynarz stated in an announcement.
ENAMI, which processes copper for native mining corporations, has been tasked with spearheading the federal government’s maiden ventures into lithium alongside state mining big Codelco, which can be looking for a accomplice within the Maricunga salt flat.
(By Daina Beth Solomon and Fabian Cambero; Enhancing by Anthony Esposito)