Rosatom Corporation and Bolivian state company YLB (Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos) signed a framework contract (open-term contract) to build an industrial lithium production complex.
Uranium One Group, a Rosatom subsidiary, will develop the Pastos Grandes deposit (southwestern Bolivia). The project is Rosatom’s first large-scale lithium program outside Russia. Total investment is estimated at about USD 600 million.
The goal of building the industrial complex is to produce at least 25,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year — about 6% of world output. Production volumes are planned to increase after geological exploration. The first construction phase and production launch are planned for 2024, with full capacity of 25,000 tonnes by 2027.
Importantly, lithium mining in Bolivia is considered by Rosatom on a par with developing Russian lithium deposits. This shows the significance and potential of the Bolivian lithium market, which has attracted the Russian state corporation’s attention.
Source: RBC
