The Lithium Triangle Explored
The lithium triangle holds nearly half of the world’s lithium
The Lithium Triangle: Clean Energy’s Trump Card
Most people’s lives are affected by the lithium triangle. If you’ve ever used a cell phone or PC, chances are you’ve benefited from the region’s rich mineral wealth.
Made up of South America’s 3 largest lithium producers: Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, the lithium triangle possesses 54% of the world’s lightest metal.
Each country exploits this advantage in different ways.
Argentina offers the best conditions for lithium production
Argentina
Ultra Lithium has several lithium brine projects in Argentina. Our flagship venture, the Laguna Verde site, comprises nearly 8,000 hectares and contains a new high grade of lithium.
Most sites throughout Argentina are at high altitudes. Large drills bore into the ground, allowing lithium to dissolve into evaporation pools. These pools also produce potassium and represent the most sustainable way to mine lithium.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s depressed economy is working to take advantage of its natural mineral wealth. Consequently, the government has streamlined mining and exploration processes to attract business.
Of the 3 lithium triangle members, industry experts point to Argentina as the best-positioned to benefit. Both working conditions and policies support this claim.
Bolivia is struggling to attract foreign lithium investors
Bolivia
Almost a quarter of the world’s lithium can be found in Bolivia. Not surprisingly, it’s investing heavily in exploration and mining operations.
However, production lags behind both Argentina and Chile. This has happened for a number of reasons.
First, the left-leaning government scares off foreign buyers. The socialist state is not a free market darling, meaning an ideological clash hurts progress.
Second, brine mining is affected by weather. It relies on natural evaporation to dissolve lithium.
Lastly, it owns the lithium triangle’s worst working conditions. The poor country lacks the infrastructure enjoyed by its competitors.
A single mine in Chile holds 33% of the world’s lithium
Chile
Chile’s thirst for lithium has created a water war. Needed to pump lithium out of aquifers in the ground, companies are forced to compete for H2O.
Unfortunately, this rings true for the world’s largest lithium mine. Called Salar de Atacama, the Chilean mine holds 33% of the world’s known lithium supply.
The salar runs 55km and forms the country’s lithium base.
Currently, Chile is the world’s largest supplier of lithium. However, Argentina is now a worthy challenger.
Paving the Future
The lithium triangle is the key to overcoming dirty energy. With Argentina leading the pack, these South American countries are positioning themselves to meet global lithium demand.
Furthermore, the global lithium shortage is expected to increase the mineral’s value.
As China, North America and Europe electrify their transport industries, the lithium triangle will grow in global importance.
Ultra Lithium Inc. A team of lithium experts with a finger on the pulse of clean energy news, Ultra Lithium is a lithium exploration company with holdings in Argentina, Canada and the US (TSX-V:ULI, OTCQB: ULTXF and Frankfurt: QFB).
