Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced on Thursday (20) the National Lithium Strategy, a measure that aims to increase the country’s wealth by linking Chile’s economic development with the shift to a global green economy.
The strategy will be represented by the state companies Codelco and Enami. The creation of the National Lithium Company will include a public-private action aimed at increasing national production and attracting new players, expanding the industry through joint initiatives.
The measure will allow for greater sustainable production in the Atacama salt desert and new projects in other salt flats in the country.
“Along with the development of green hydrogen, it is the best opportunity we have to move towards a sustainable and developed economy. We cannot afford to waste it. Our challenge is for our country to become the main lithium producer in the world, increasing its wealth and development”, said the president.
🔴#CNNPrime | NOW: President Boric presents the Lithium National Strategy: “Together with the development of green hydrogen (…) it is the best chance we have to move towards a sustainable and developed economy. We cannot give ourselves the lujo of disproving it” pic.twitter.com/DHTzpcxlN6
— CNN Chile (@CNNChile) April 21, 2023
What does the strategy include?
- The State will participate in the entire production cycle, creating the National Lithium Company for this purpose.
- The effort to explore and add value will be based on the principle of virtuous public-private collaboration.
- Use of new lithium extraction technologies that minimize the impact on salt desert ecosystems. “At the same time, we are going to promote research on salt flats to find out how to take better care of them. To do this, we are going to establish a salt pan protection network, thus fulfilling the commitment of 30% of protected ecosystems by 2030”, said Boric.
- All development will be carried out with the participation and involvement of the communities surrounding the mining operations. “I want to promise you that the first milestone in this process will begin with a direct conversation between the Council of Atacameño Peoples and me,” he added.
- “We are going to promote not only extraction, not only preservation, but also the generation of value-added lithium products. Thus, the scientific and technological innovation associated with this task will allow us to move towards a lasting, more complex and diversified development”, concluded the Head of State.
Source: CNN Brasil
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