Argentina Lithium Reserves

More than half of the world s known lithium reserves are located in argentina bolivia and chile.

Argentina lithium reserves.

Argentina is the fourth largest lithium producer in the world and last year it put out 6 400 mt of the metal the same amount as in 2018. Lithium was discovered in 1817 and is the lightest metal on earth. Argentina bolivia and chile hold the planet s largest reserves of lithium a key component in batteries used to power a range of technologies from cell phones to laptops to electric cars. The lithium triangle is host to lithium brine deposits that currently account for over 30 of the global lithium trade.

Of the three argentina is the only one that permits exploitation freely through concessions which macri introduced in 2015. Beneath its surface are concealed the world s largest reserves of lithium the key mineral in the transition to clean energy the mining of which has triggered controversy. Chile is the world s leading source of the metal. The three countries together account for around 80 per cent of the world s lithium salt brine reserves.

The lithium triangle is believed to contain over 75 of existing known lithium reserves. Argentina chile and bolivia account for around half the total lithium reserves in the world according to the us geological survey. In nature lithium occurs only in compounds due to its high reactivity. Olaroz argentina dec 18 2019 ips the intense white brightness of the salt flats interrupts the arid monotony of the puna in northwest argentina resembling postcards from the moon.

The lithium triangle is known for its high quality salt flats including bolivia s salar de uyuni chile s salar de atacama and argentina s salar de arizaro. Argentina is the third biggest global producer of lithium after. Combined the reserves in. Chile had an estimated 8 6 million metric tons.

Argentina produces around 5700 mt of lithium 30 341 mt of lce newest estimations for 2017 40 000 mt of lce between 10 15 newest estimations 16 of world output and is a part of lithium triangle along with bolivia and chile where 70 of world s lithium reserves are placed. Deposits are found in south america throughout the andes mountain chain. Argentina has a central role to play in this scenario since it is part of an area known as the lithium triangle along with chile and bolivia. Chile is the leading.

Industrial production from the so called lithium triangle is already high. The mariana lake project consists of a lithium brine deposit located in salta argentina.