Chile And Bolivia Exploit Its Lithium Reserves

At Salar de Atacama, Chile, the Albemarle Corporation, based in Charlotte, N.C. is expanding mining operations at the Salar Plant to meet the rising global demand for lithium carbonate, a main component in the manufacture of batteries, increasingly for electric vehicles. Chile is the second largest global producer of lithium, after Australia. The Uyuni Salt Flats, in the Potosi province of Bolivia, have the largest lithium reserves in the world. Despite the nationalization of the lithium industry in 2008, extraction and export volumes never reached significant levels due to lack of investments and technology. Now the Bolivian government is working on strategic partnerships with foreign firms to boost the extraction. Photographers and Videographers: John Moore Gaston Brito Miserocchi Producer: Luciana Ghilino Music: Epidemic Sound - ‘Returning in Time’ by Headlun