- Write by:
-
Friday, March 15, 2019 - 11:05:32 AM
-
911 Visit
-
Print
Mining News Pro - Chilean lithium miner SQM on Thursday received environmental approval to expand its lithium carbonate production plant, the local environmental regulator told Reuters, marking a milestone as the company seeks to boost output of the coveted ultralight battery metal.
According to Mining News Pro - The $400 million plant expansion, once complete, would allow the Chinese-backed SQM to eventually produce as much as 180,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate a year from its Atacama salt flat operations in Chile. "SQM is the world`s number two producer of lithium, a key component in the batteries that power electric vehicles, cell phones and other consumer goods"
SQM is the world`s number two producer of lithium, a key component in the batteries that power electric vehicles, cell phones and other consumer goods. China’s Tianqi Lithium Corp bought a stake in the firm last year.
SQM CEO Ricardo Ramos earlier this week said he expected the expansion, if approved, would come online "in the future," but did not specify a date. SQM has previously said it hopes to be able to produce 120,000 tonnes annually by 2020, nearly double its current capacity of 70,000 tonnes.
Water has become a key sticking point for the expansion plans of both SQM and top competitor Albemarle, both of which operate in the Atacama desert, the world`s driest. Soaring lithium demand has raised questions about whether the Atacama salt flat can support current and future levels of production.
SQM vice president Alejandro Bucher said in a statement that he believed the plant expansion approved on Thursday would contribute to sustainable development of the region.
"One of the most relevant benefits of this project is the optimization of water use for production," Bucher said.
Short Link:
https://www.miningnews.ir/En/News/347111
Chinese carmaker BYD Co has postponed plans to produce lithium cathodes for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Chile by ...
Australian-based Atlantic Lithium Ltd., which is developing Ghana’s first lithium mine, has taken a step toward raising ...
Truck drivers in Chile staged protests Monday in the mineral-rich north of the country and around the capital Santiago, ...
Canada’s mining industry is pushing for an carveout to the federal government’s proposed increase to capital gains ...
London-based Savannah Resources will if necessary ask Portugal’s government to authorize compulsory land acquisitions ...
India is considering offering incentives to encourage private companies to set up lithium processing facilities, as New ...
London-based Savannah Resources will if necessary ask Portugal’s government to authorize compulsory land acquisitions ...
Australia will spend A$566 million ($373 million) over the coming decade to map out resource deposits with a focus on ...
Equinor on Wednesday said it has entered an agreement with Standard Lithium to acquire a 45% stake in lithium projects ...
No comments have been posted yet ...