Bolivia's YLB selects 23 groups for next stage of lithium tender

Twenty-three companies were authorized by Bolivian state company YLB to continue in the second phase of the international bidding process for the development of pilot projects for the production of lithium and other minerals in seven of the country’s 28 salt flats.

YLB seeks to develop an industrial chain for lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, fertilizers, borates and sulfates found in the salt flats.

The 23 companies signed agreements for the exchange of technical information with YLB, the company said on social media.

In this phase of the process, which lasts until May 9, the qualified companies must prepare their project proposals at a conceptual level and will be able to carry out inspections in the salt flats.

According to YLB, China Machinery Corporation will submit proposals for two projects.

In total, 38 firms expressed interest in the process that began in January, of which YLB selected 25 last month, but two companies did not sign the respective agreements for the exchange of information and so were excluded from the process.

Among other companies that continue in the process are China’s CBC Group, Argentina’s Tecpetrol and Russia’s Uranium Group.

MONITORING OF SALT FLATS

YLB, meanwhile, is monitoring 178 production wells in the Uyuni and Pastos Grandes salt flats, in Potosí, and Coipasa in Oruro.

In the Uyuni salt flat, monthly monitoring of 88 wells is carried out, 70 in Coipasa and 20 in Pastos Grandes.

The hydrocarbons and energy ministry said in a statement that monitoring seeks to determine the variability of concentrations and levels of aquifers since the industrialization of lithium must go hand in hand with the responsible use of water and care for the environment.

“It has been demonstrated that it is possible to carry out strategies for the extraction, production and transformation of lithium without irreversibly affecting water reservoirs and the ecosystem,” the ministry said.