Lithium

Chile launches LIBR3 initiative to repurpose EV lithium batteries for energy storage

November 6, 2025

Chile has launched the LIBR3 initiative, led by CircularTec and funded by Corfo, to give a second life to lithium batteries from electric vehicles by repurposing them for stationary energy storage systems. The three-year project focuses on R&D, technological validation, regulatory framework development, and assessing the full battery lifecycle to recover valuable materials like lithium, […]

Bolivia signs US$1 billion contract for lithium carbonate plants in Uyuni Salt Flats

December 6, 2024

Bolivia has signed a US$1 billion contract with Hong Kong CBC Investment, a subsidiary of CATL, for the construction of two lithium carbonate plants in the Uyuni salt flats. This partnership, led by Bolivia’s Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB), aims to boost the country’s lithium production with capacities of 10,000 and 25,000 metric tons of […]

Bolivia’s president announces an increase in the country’s quantified lithium resources

August 3, 2023

Bolivia’s president announced that there is an increase of two million to 23 million tons of lithium resources in the country. The announcement further solidifies Bolivia as the country with the world’s largest know deposits of lithium. Source: AP News

Bolivia signs two deals worth a combined US$14 billion to build lithium plants in the country

July 6, 2023

Bolivia has signed two deals worth a combined US$14 billion to build lithium plants in the country. The first deal was signed with Chinese consortium CBC. The second deal was signed with Russian company Uranium One. The lithium plants are expected to be operational by 2025. Source: BNAmericas

Mexico’s state-run lithium company examines the possibility of geothermal extraction of the white metal

June 23, 2023

Mexico’s state-run lithium company is exploring the potential of geothermal extraction of the white metal, which will complement the primary method of extraction from clay-based deposits. Source: Reuters

Bolivia partners with China’s CBC consortium to develop its lithium reserves

February 1, 2023

Bolivia partnered with the CBC consortium, including Chinese battery giant, CATL, to develop its large reserves of lithium. The partnership gives CBC the rights to develop two lithium plants in Bolivia. Source: Reuters

Billionaire-Backed Geothermal Project Highlights New Lithium-Extraction Technology

March 20, 2020

Startup company Lilac Solutions secured US$20 million in funding from Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg, and Bill Gates for a lithium-extraction project in California’s Salton Sea geothermal area—one of the richest potential sources of geothermal energy in the world. If successful, an improved extraction technology would transform the site into a combined energy and lithium source. […]