National Lithium Strategy

Country / jurisdiction: Chile · Year: 2023 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

The National Lithium Strategy aims to vitalise the Chilean economy through the development of the domestic lithium industry. Lithium reserves are not subject to concession in Chile. Therefore, they can only be explored or extracted directly by the State or state-owned companies, or through administrative concessions or special operation contracts. The only exceptions are the concessions granted prior to 1979. The Strategy is intended to be a public-private collaboration, in which the Chilean government maintains a controlling interest in all new strategic projects. It opens the possibility for private-sector players to participate in the industry by entering partnerships with the State, ceding a share of the operation and paying royalties.

The strategic pillars of the plan are:

The creation of a Strategic Committee for Lithium and Salt Flats to promote policies that enable the scientific-technological and industrial development of lithium production.

Initiation of a stakeholder engagement and participation process with community, governmental, academic, civil society and private sector stakeholders.

Creation of the state-owned National Lithium Company that will partner with the private sector for the sustainable development of exploration, operation and technological development.

Creation of a Network of Protected Salt Flats composed of at least 30% of these ecosystems by 2030, in line with the Convention on Biodiversity's Global Biodiversity Framework.

Modernisation of the institutional framework to facilitate the industry’s development and growth, reduce environmental and social impacts and harmonise existing and new public bodies.

Creation of a Public Technology and Research Institute for Lithium and Salt Flats to generate knowledge and technology, as well as increase understanding and environmental protections through the generation of public ecosystem baselines.

Involvement of the State in Atacama Salt Flat production activities, particularly in light of the expiration of private sector lease agreements in 2030.

Prospecting in other salt flats.

Official source: https://www.gob.cl/litioporchile/en/