La Paz [Bolivia], November 28: Bolivia said on November 26 it had signed a $1 billion deal with China's CBC, a subsidiary of battery giant CATL, to build two lithium carbonate plants.
According to AFP, the two factories will be located in Salar de Uyuni (southwest Bolivia ) - known for the world's largest lithium reserves . The two factories are expected to have a capacity of about 35,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year.
Bolivian President Luis Arce said the move paves the way for the country to become a major player in determining international lithium prices . Arce added that Bolivia is negotiating a new lithium contract with China's Citic Guoan Group. Bolivia also recently signed a $976 million deal with Russia to build a direct lithium mining facility in Salar de Uyuni.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper