Arabs interested in lithium from Chile
The Manara Minerals company from Saudi Arabia is considering the possibility of investing in lithium production in Chile, Saudi Minister of Mines Bandar Alkhoraif said during a visit to that South American country, reports Reuters.
Manara, a joint venture between state-owned mining company Ma’aden and the Public Investment Fund, is “analyzing different options,” Alkhorajaf said.
Saudi Arabia is working to secure access to lithium and other minerals as it seeks to become a hub for electric vehicle and battery production to diversify its oil-dependent economy, Reuters reports.
Alkhorajaf, the Saudi minister of industry and mineral resources, said Manara has an interest in investing in Chile, the world’s second-largest producer of lithium, a metal also used to make batteries.
He also said he saw “great commitment” from the Chilean government to help secure investment. He noted that he is not aware of the specific discussions that are being held.
A large lithium mining project
The Chilean state mining company Kodelko (Codelco) is currently looking for a partner for a large extraction project of lithium in the Marikung plain (Maricunga), and the government has recently opened up a number of other lithium deposits for private investment.
Alkhorajaf met with representatives of the Chilean Ministry of Mining, and Kodelko representatives were also present.
He stated that Saudi Arabia is interested in quickly securing lithium supplies, including from Chile, as it intends to produce batteries for electric vehicles in the country.
“We have a leadership that is very ambitious. We are serious about getting it now (…) as soon as possible”, he said.
Before Chile, the Saudi minister made an official visit to Brazil, also with the aim of improving economic cooperation in several areas, including mining.
Source: Beta
Photo: screenshot
Source: bizlife.rs
