Mining Minister Aurora Williams highlighted the collaborative work between the ministries of Economy, Treasury and Foreign Affairs, and institutions such as the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) and InvestChile, “to promote the process in a transparent manner” both in Chile and abroad.
More than 50 companies and consortia from 10 countries participated in the open process promoted by the Government through the Mining Ministry, aimed at gauging interest in lithium exploration and extraction projects.
The call was open for 60 days to Monday, June 17, when the period for receiving more than 80 expressions of interest ended.
The background evaluation process will now begin, where priority areas will be described for the execution of projects and mechanisms will be defined to assign Special Lithium Operation Contracts. Prior indigenous consultation processes must also be carried out “in case there is susceptibility to direct impact”.
Mining Minister Aurora Williams highlighted the collaborative work between the ministries of Economy, Treasury and Foreign Affairs, and institutions such as the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) and InvestChile, “to promote the process in a transparent manner, providing the most information to those interested in Chile and abroad.”
In parallel to this request for information (RFI), indigenous consultation processes are being carried out for the Salar de Maricunga (State-owned Copper Co., CODELCO) and Salares Altoandinos (National Mining Corporation, ENAMI) projects, as well as in the Salar de Atacama for CORFO projects.
“All of this is in addition to the work of the Science Ministry to create the Lithium and Salt Flats Technological and Research Institute, and the commitment of the Environment Ministry to begin studies to create the Network of Protected Salt Flats,” Minister Williams concluded.
The results of the process will be announced on July 9.
ENAMI Salares Altoandinos Project
One of the projects mentioned by the mining minister was ENAMI’s Salares Altoandinos project. The state-owned company’s executive vice president, Iván Mlynarz, reported that, according to preliminary data, the concentration of lithium in the Salar de Aguilar would make the project “one of the most important in the world of lithium.”
“We have had encouraging preliminary results. We have made progress on the ground that has allowed us to develop important knowledge, and work is underway. These are very important competitive advantages for investors interested in being part of the initiative,” the executive stated.
An average preliminary concentration of 740 mg/l total lithium, with a maximum of 984 mg/l, was found in the Salar de Aguilar. This corresponds to brine samples taken in the first 300 meters of drilling.
Source: Radio Biobío.
%2017.11.51.png)
