Lithium industrial complexes provide for sustainable management of water resources

Statement from Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energies of Bolivia

This is an automated translation of the press release issued in Spanish

Lithium industrial complexes with Direct Lithium Extraction (EDL) technology, to be installed soon in the Uyuni, Pastos Grandes (Potosí) and Coipasa (Oruro) salt flats, foresee a sustainable management of water resources and a development that is in balance with environment.

According to the Bolivian Lithium Deposits (YLB) report, a clear balance is being worked on regarding the existing availability of this resource in those areas in terms of volume in rivers, streams, canals, wetlands, soil moisture and other related characteristics. to the water availability of these basins in the different seasons of the year.

Among the activities carried out in the Salar de Uyuni, Potosí, the investigations in the salt crust, hydrochemical studies, tests with evaporation rates and chemical studies of the brine in experimental pools on a laboratory scale stand out, in addition to the perforations established in the program of exploration.

Last year, 46 exploratory wells were drilled in the Salar de Coipasa and 20 exploratory wells in the Salar de Pastos Grandes. Secondary studies, such as river monitoring and well research, have also been completed, producing data that contributes to supporting YLB's research.

The sediments of the salt flats were formed by the ancient lakes that existed in the Bolivian altiplano. The last sediments were produced as a result of Lake Tauca, which in time gave rise to what is now known as the Uyuni and Coipasa salt flats. That happened approximately 11,000 years ago, according to data obtained through scientific dating techniques.

Bolivia recently announced the increase in its lithium resources: 1.8 million tons in the Coipasa salt flat and more than 200 thousand tons in the Pastos Grandes salt flat. The new resources, added to the 21 million tons existing in the Salar de Uyuni, add up to a total of 23 million tons of lithium.