Bolivia's lithium resources are now estimated at 23 million metric tons, said the country's president, cementing its position as the global leader in lithium resources.
The new figure, reached after more than 66 wells were explored across the Coipasa and Pastos Grandes salt flats, is a notable increase from a previous estimate of 21 million metric tons.
During an event in the southwestern town of Coipasa, president of Bolivia Luis Arce presented the latest figures on how much lithium lies in the Coipasa and Pastos Grandes salt flats.
“The good news, which will certainly resonate internationally because it will consolidate the country as the planet’s largest global reserve of lithium, is that today we have not 21 million, we have 23 million tons of lithium in Bolivian territory,” Arce said.
Bolivia must “intelligently” manage its position as the world’s leading source of “this so valuable element,” he said.
Work will begin soon on the construction of a highway and high-voltage electric line to accommodate the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) plant to be built in Coipasa by Chinese consortium CBC, the president said.
Under the contract signed in January, CBC is to invest $1.4 billion in DLE facilities in Coipasa and at the Uyuni Salt Flat, which holds the lion’s share of Bolivia’s reserves.
Theodor Lisovoy, Editor in Chief of the European bureau, Rough&Polished
