Germany secures direct access to Bolivian lithium reserves for battery production
Clean Energy Wire
The German company ACISA has signed an agreement with state-owned Bolivian YLB group to cooperate on the exploitation of lithium reserves in the world’s largest salt flat Salar de Uyuni, in the Bolivian Andes. The companies have founded a joint venture that “lays the foundation stone for implementing a long-term Bolivian-German energy and mobility initiative” by extracting lithium hydroxide for battery production for e-cars and other storage purposes, the companies say in a press release. Lithium is “a key raw material of the 21st century” the companies say, adding that demand for the “white gold” is set to double by 2025 as electric mobility options expand. According to the press release, at least 300 million euros in investment will enable an extraction of up to 40,000 tonnes annually by 2022 and could eventually also include battery system manufacturing in Bolivia. The companies say their joint venture will set itself tight environmental and social standards.
Find the press release in English here.
See the CLEW dossier Electricity storage is next feat for Germany’s energy transition for more information.
