Chilean miner SQM plans to choose one or more direct lithium extraction technologies by next year in order to quickly expand production of the electric vehicle battery metal in the Salar de Atacama, an executive said on Wednesday.
Boric’s mandate has sparked a frenzy among DLE companies to operate in Chile, which has the world’s largest lithium reserves. But to date, DLE technology has not worked at commercial scale without the use of ponds. “We would like to have multiple solutions,” said Diaz, an engineer by training who joined SQM in 1996. “It’s difficult to choose one that is going to fit and be suitable for all kinds of different chemicals that can be in different types of brine.”
After the selection, SQM would have to apply for environmental permits with Chilean regulators, a process that could take up to three years, Diaz said.