Chilean lithium represents 52% of world reserves
It is one of the best ranked minerals in the world and the its growth forecast in Chile continues to increase
Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, called the lithium triangle, are the countries which concentrates the largest reserves of lithium in the world. The latter is the country that occupies 52% of world reserves and among the three nations it accumulates 68 % of mineral provisions.
Other Latin American countries could have deposits of this mineral. For this reason, in Colombia, traces and studies have been carried out on the possible existence of lithium since 2017, especially in the department of Boyacá but “no evidence of deposits has been found,” said Gloria Prieto Rincón, technical director of the Colombian Geological Service (SGC).
The forecast of this mineral in terms of finances is really surprising. Once the demand of the white gold of the 21st century entered the market it was projected to 180 million tons of lithium carbonate in 2016 and continues to grow out of control. If this trend continues, it is presumed that the figures will double in the coming years.
Use and commercialization
Currently, the ton of lithium is quoted at more than US $ 10,000 in the market. Being this mineral very useful for many things and modalities, 39% of the demand is destined to the manufacture of batteries, 30% in the one of ceramics and glasses; 8% in greases and lubricants; 5% in metallurgy; another similar percentage in polymers; 3% in air treatments and the remaining 10% in various sectors, according to data from the Latin American Polis Magazine.
Although as mentioned above if the demand continues to rise, it is expected that by 2026 70% of lithium consumption will be for the manufacture of batteries, 15% percent for glass and ceramics and the remaining 15% will have other destinations, according to projections of the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Argentina of 2017.
K.Villarroel
Source: bancaynegocios
