Rosatom Corporation and the Bolivian state-owned company YLB (Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos) have signed a framework agreement (open-ended contract) for the construction of an industrial production complex lithium.
Uranium One Group, a subsidiary of Rosatom, will develop the Pastos Grandes field (southwestern Bolivia). The project is Rosatom's first large-scale lithium program outside the Russian Federation. The total investment is estimated at about $600 million.
The goal of building an industrial complex is to produce at least 25,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year, which is about 6% of global production. It is planned to increase production volumes after exploration. The first phase of construction and the launch of production are scheduled for 2024, and the full capacity of 25,000 tons is planned by 2027.
It is important to note that lithium mining in Bolivia is considered by Rosatom along with developments Russian lithium deposits. This shows the importance and potential of the Bolivian lithium market, which is attracting the attention of a Russian state-owned corporation.
Source: RBK
