Bolivia selects four international companies for lithium production

The National Strategic Public Company for Bolivian Lithium Deposits prioritized negotiations with at least four international companies.

The National Strategic Public Company for Bolivian Lithium Deposits (YLB) prioritized negotiations with at least four international companies that received the highest scores in terms of technological maturity, as part of the second international call for “Expressions of Interest for the Development of Projects and Technology for the Exploitation of Evaporitic Resources.”

YLB's multidisciplinary commission rated CBC (China), Protecno S.R.L. (Italy), Eramet S.A. (France), and Eau Lithium PTY Ltd. (Australia) with the highest scores based on their level of technological maturity, as well as their financial proposals, technical parameters, and project execution timelines.

Of the four companies, three have proven systems operating successfully in a real environment, while one applies a complete and qualified system in an operational setting.

As for the proposals, CBC presented a project for lithium extraction from residual brine using the adsorption method, while Protecno proposed the treatment of wastewater from current plants, as well as water treatment for nearby populations and well water treatment.

Meanwhile, Eramet S.A. and Eau Lithium submitted proposals for Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) from well brine.

To date, the YLB's call, launched in January of this year, is in the negotiation phase with the bidders, prioritizing those with greater technological maturity, while not ruling out other proposals.