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His expertise bridges technical and financial domains, with a background that spans deposit assessment, resource estimation, cost modelling, pricing trends, and ESG analysis. Federico’s career includes hands-on mining experience in Chile across lithium and copper deposits, as well as market-facing roles at the London Stock Exchange, focusing on lithium, precious metals and copper. His work supports strategic insights into the global energy transition and critical mineral supply chains. He holds a MSc in Economic Geology from Universidad Catolica del Norte, Chile.","ec134342-8401-4a39-98a7-8054bcde28c5",{"id":551,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":552,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":554,"is_external_url":50},148111688558632,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/512x512/599762cb57/federico-gay.jpeg","asset",{},"https://www.linkedin.com/in/federico-gaston-gay-1aa629160/","author","Principal Analyst - Lithium",[],[],[561,833,989,1172,1363,1554],{"id":562,"uuid":563,"name":564,"slug":565,"full_slug":566,"content":567},180696700788650,"fba8f6f5-4476-47f4-aa59-a36298c09863","Argentina's lithium output to grow 150% by 2030 on back of RIGI scheme","argentinas-lithium-output-to-grow-150-by-2030-on-back-of-rigi-scheme","article/argentinas-lithium-output-to-grow-150-by-2030-on-back-of-rigi-scheme",{"_uid":568,"date":569,"tags":570,"editor":586,"content":596,"excerpt":810,"featured":51,"reporter":811,"component":815,"seo_title":816,"categories":817,"visibility":823,"data_vis_image":824,"featured_image":826,"seo_description":831,"formattedDate":832},"49744407-0109-4515-9467-a38b574855b6","2026-05-26 00:00",[571,574,577,580,583],{"slug":572,"name":573},"argentina","Argentina",{"slug":575,"name":576},"ganfeng","Ganfeng Lithium",{"slug":578,"name":579},"galan-lithium","Galan Lithium",{"slug":581,"name":582},"rio-tinto","Rio Tinto",{"slug":584,"name":585},"posco","Posco",[587],{"slug":588,"name":589,"content":590},"matthew-bird","Matthew Bird",{"job_title":591,"image":592,"bio":594,"linkedin":595},"Senior Editor - Supply Chains & Data Visualisation",{"filename":593},"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/512x512/14738033ec/matthew-bird.jpeg","Matthew writes, edits and produces content for Benchmark Intelligence and Benchmark Source across the whole mine to grid supply chain. He also acts as a liaison to the press. He has a PhD in electrochemistry from the University of Nottingham.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/birdmatthew/",{"type":597,"content":598},"doc",[599,641,677,699,720,730,738,746,767,774,782,790,798],{"type":600,"attrs":601,"content":602},"paragraph",{"textAlign":49},[603,611,622,627,636],{"text":604,"type":605,"marks":606},"Over the past two years, ","text",[607],{"type":608,"attrs":609},"textStyle",{"color":610},"#000000",{"text":573,"type":605,"marks":612},[613,620],{"type":614,"attrs":615},"link",{"href":616,"uuid":617,"anchor":49,"target":618,"linktype":619},"/article/view-from-the-ground-in-argentina-a-defining-moment-for-dle","d6542838-0f53-455f-9d44-f7f7018e4d8c","_self","story",{"type":608,"attrs":621},{"color":610},{"text":623,"type":605,"marks":624}," has been the destination for many ambitious investment commitments thanks to the country’s ",[625],{"type":608,"attrs":626},{"color":610},{"text":628,"type":605,"marks":629},"Regimen for Incentivising Large Investments",[630,634],{"type":614,"attrs":631},{"href":632,"uuid":633,"anchor":49,"target":618,"linktype":619},"/article/argentinas-economic-reform-bill-offers-copper-and-lithium-mining-incentives","8c7adc30-a7fb-4a91-94ab-13677e9dac30",{"type":608,"attrs":635},{"color":610},{"text":637,"type":605,"marks":638}," (RIGI).",[639],{"type":608,"attrs":640},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":642,"content":643},{"textAlign":49},[644,649,658,663,672],{"text":645,"type":605,"marks":646},"Benchmark analysis shows that ",[647],{"type":608,"attrs":648},{"color":610},{"text":650,"type":605,"marks":651},"Argentina’s lithium output rose",[652,656],{"type":614,"attrs":653},{"href":654,"uuid":655,"anchor":49,"target":618,"linktype":619},"/article/chile-s-regulatory-gridlock-giving-argentina-upper-hand-on-lithium-output-growth","6d4b46da-d155-4b62-9e59-97f9c80037ab",{"type":608,"attrs":657},{"color":610},{"text":659,"type":605,"marks":660}," from 31kt in 2018 to 86kt LCE in 2025. By 2030, Benchmark forecasts production to grow a further 153% to 218kt, positioning Argentina amongst the fastest growing ",[661],{"type":608,"attrs":662},{"color":610},{"text":664,"type":605,"marks":665},"lithium producers",[666,670],{"type":614,"attrs":667},{"href":668,"uuid":669,"anchor":49,"target":618,"linktype":619},"/article/infographic-battery-material-production-expansion-since-2020-driven-by-shifting-chemistry","ec71002e-6142-4424-b241-3d0e7b26f637",{"type":608,"attrs":671},{"color":610},{"text":673,"type":605,"marks":674}," globally.",[675],{"type":608,"attrs":676},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":678,"content":679},{"textAlign":49},[680,685,694],{"text":681,"type":605,"marks":682},"The growth in ",[683],{"type":608,"attrs":684},{"color":610},{"text":686,"type":605,"marks":687},"Argentina’s lithium industry",[688,692],{"type":614,"attrs":689},{"href":690,"uuid":691,"anchor":49,"target":618,"linktype":619},"/videos/the-state-of-argentinas-lithium-sector","0737790d-922f-4390-83b0-1abc19819937",{"type":608,"attrs":693},{"color":610},{"text":695,"type":605,"marks":696}," highlights that coordinated policy efforts and a focus on cost efficiency can attract capital and support the development of viable projects.",[697],{"type":608,"attrs":698},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":700,"content":701},{"textAlign":49},[702,707,715],{"text":703,"type":605,"marks":704},"“RIGI delivers what Argentina has lacked for several decades: fiscal, customs and FX stability,” said Benchmark principal lithium analyst ",[705],{"type":608,"attrs":706},{"color":610},{"text":543,"type":605,"marks":708},[709,713],{"type":614,"attrs":710},{"href":711,"uuid":712,"anchor":49,"target":618,"linktype":619},"/videos/what-is-the-outlook-for-lithium-in-latin-america","2e803866-775f-4d3e-b1b3-3a73823ba02d",{"type":608,"attrs":714},{"color":610},{"text":716,"type":605,"marks":717},". “This framework is helping dissipate some of the perceived sovereign and operational risks Argentina has had over the last decades.”",[718],{"type":608,"attrs":719},{"color":610},{"type":721,"attrs":722},"blok",{"id":723,"body":724},"1bddccfa-5caa-479d-9af2-547a37511e8b",[725],{"id":726,"_uid":727,"type":728,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"29131142","i-a8df982f-2e42-4bef-97f5-afffb51823a4","visualisation","ContentFlourish",{"type":600,"attrs":731,"content":732},{"textAlign":49},[733],{"text":734,"type":605,"marks":735},"On the project side, EXAR’s Cauchari-Olaroz, a JV between Lithium Argentina, Ganfeng and JEMSE, secured RIGI approval in May 2026 for an expansion phase. Totalling $1.24 billion, this project is expected to add 45ktpa of battery-grade lithium carbonate capacity to the existing 40ktpa operation.",[736],{"type":608,"attrs":737},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":739,"content":740},{"textAlign":49},[741],{"text":742,"type":605,"marks":743},"Lithium Argentina and Ganfeng have also recently submitted a RIGI application for the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project, targeting 150ktpa after a $3 billion investment, which is currently under review. ",[744],{"type":608,"attrs":745},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":747,"content":748},{"textAlign":49},[749,754,762],{"text":750,"type":605,"marks":751},"Cauchari-Olaroz’s expansion joins other RIGI-backed developments, including Galan Lithium’s Hombre Muerto West project, which has started producing lithium chloride, and POSCO’s Sal de Oro. ",[752],{"type":608,"attrs":753},{"color":610},{"text":582,"type":605,"marks":755},[756,760],{"type":614,"attrs":757},{"href":758,"uuid":759,"anchor":49,"target":618,"linktype":619},"/article/rio-tinto-secures-financing-package-for-rincon-project-in-argentina","95eb9705-67fe-4e27-b52b-40c29490777d",{"type":608,"attrs":761},{"color":610},{"text":763,"type":605,"marks":764}," has emerged as one of the largest beneficiaries so far. Its Rincon project has RIGI approval for a $2.8 billion, 60ktpa development, while Sal de Vida in Catamarca has secured more than $800 million in approved investment and the Fenix expansion phase for over $670 million.",[765],{"type":608,"attrs":766},{"color":610},{"type":721,"attrs":768},{"id":769,"body":770},"478c5948-a1b2-4cbb-b985-cdf3f2ba088d",[771],{"id":772,"_uid":773,"type":728,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"29133278","i-2134ca06-f148-4654-8532-55b4299f1b89",{"type":600,"attrs":775,"content":776},{"textAlign":49},[777],{"text":778,"type":605,"marks":779},"“The next test for Argentina is execution, converting announcements into produced tonnes, while managing water use, community expectations and infrastructure bottlenecks,” Gay said. \"Most Argentinian lithium projects are located in high-altitude, remote areas, with limited power, roads and access to ports. Projects often depend on Antofagasta in Chile for port access.\"",[780],{"type":608,"attrs":781},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":783,"content":784},{"textAlign":49},[785],{"text":786,"type":605,"marks":787},"A key logistical challenge for Argentinian projects is that for every tonne LCE produced, between five and seven tonnes of reagents and materials need to be transported to the site. As such, the existing logistics network could be strained as Argentina brings more projects online.",[788],{"type":608,"attrs":789},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":791,"content":792},{"textAlign":49},[793],{"text":794,"type":605,"marks":795},"This article draws on analysis and insights from Benchmark's Lithium Service. To find out more, fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch:",[796],{"type":797},"italic",{"type":721,"attrs":799},{"id":723,"body":800},[801],{"id":802,"_uid":803,"component":804,"wrap_in_box":50,"redirect_url":805,"success_file":807,"default_height":547,"success_message":547,"v2_hubspot_form":50,"success_sub_text":547,"hidden_field_values":809,"show_on_intelligence":50},"57a99950-73f5-48be-98a4-7324c28e5d0b","i-a0577306-712f-4ce8-af56-c0114e4d2785","ContentHubspotForm",{"id":547,"url":547,"linktype":619,"fieldtype":806,"cached_url":547},"multilink",{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":808},{},[],"Over the past two years, Argentina has been the destination for many ambitious investment commitments thanks to the country’s Regimen for Incentivising Large Investments (RIGI).\n\nBenchmark analysis shows that Argentina’s lithium output rose from 31kt in 2018 to 86kt LCE in 2025. By 2030, Benchmark forecasts production to grow a further 153% to 218kt, positioning Argentina amongst the fastest growing lithium producers globally.\n\nThe growth in Argentina’s lithium industry highlights that coordinated policy efforts and a focus on cost efficiency can attract capital and support the development of viable projects.",[812],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":813},{"job_title":557,"image":814,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":8},{"filename":552},"article","Argentina's lithium output to grow 150% by 2030 from RIGI scheme",[818,821],{"slug":819,"name":820},"critical-minerals","Critical Minerals",{"slug":822,"name":8},"lithium","private",{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":825},{},{"id":827,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":828,"source":547,"filename":829,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":830,"is_external_url":50},180698724291515,"Image credit: Galan Lithium","https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/5120x2936/f718f47a9a/galan-lithium-hombre-muerto-west.jpeg",{"alt":547,"title":828,"source":547,"copyright":547},"Over the past two years, Argentina has been the destination for many ambitious investment commitments thanks to the country’s Regimen for Incentivising Large Investments (RIGI).","May 26, 2026",{"id":834,"uuid":835,"name":836,"slug":837,"full_slug":838,"content":839},176788419249767,"55a3414b-105d-4318-b317-115f7b007ef2","Québec establishing itself as a lithium hub","quebec-establishing-itself-as-a-lithium-hub","article/quebec-establishing-itself-as-a-lithium-hub",{"_uid":840,"date":841,"tags":842,"editor":849,"content":859,"excerpt":973,"featured":51,"reporter":974,"component":815,"seo_title":836,"categories":978,"visibility":823,"data_vis_image":981,"featured_image":983,"seo_description":987,"formattedDate":988},"9b5847c6-9417-41f8-a115-ca9309e13c61","2026-05-18 00:00",[843,846],{"slug":844,"name":845},"north-america","North America",{"slug":847,"name":848},"canada","Canada",[850],{"slug":851,"name":852,"content":853},"benjamin-roche","Benjamin Roche",{"job_title":854,"image":855,"bio":857,"linkedin":858},"Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains",{"filename":856},"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/800x800/66d6674fb8/benjamin-roche.png","Benjamin is Benchmark's Editor for Energy Transition Supply Chains, covering both upstream products like critical minerals and downstream products including energy storage systems and electric vehicles. He has previous experience covering trade flows, tariffs and the effects of geopolitics on supply chains.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrochecontent/",{"type":597,"content":860},[861,898,903,908,915,927,935,943,965],{"type":600,"attrs":862,"content":863},{"textAlign":49},[864,869,879,884,893],{"text":865,"type":605,"marks":866},"Québec is ",[867],{"type":608,"attrs":868},{"color":610},{"text":870,"type":605,"marks":871},"cementing its place",[872,877],{"type":614,"attrs":873},{"href":874,"uuid":875,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/article/volkswagen-and-powerco-invest-in-patriot-battery-metals-to-secure-canadian-lithium","2362b95b-9cde-4b2c-b75d-99304929b625","_blank",{"type":608,"attrs":878},{"color":610},{"text":880,"type":605,"marks":881}," as one of ",[882],{"type":608,"attrs":883},{"color":610},{"text":885,"type":605,"marks":886},"North America’s",[887,891],{"type":614,"attrs":888},{"href":889,"uuid":890,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/article/how-much-would-60-days-of-us-battery-minerals-cost-in-2026-","feaae01d-533b-45b9-8ad8-39aab491e0f0",{"type":608,"attrs":892},{"color":610},{"text":894,"type":605,"marks":895}," key lithium hubs. With competitive power prices from low-carbon hydroelectricity, robust mining infrastructure, Atlantic trade route access and strong government support, the province is developing a fast-growing pipeline of mining and chemical processing projects.",[896],{"type":608,"attrs":897},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":899,"content":900},{"textAlign":49},[901],{"text":902,"type":605},"Lithium is viewed as a strategic for the country, with Canada recently announcing an investment of up to C$145m (US$106m) to support the expansion of North America’s largest lithium operation, North American Lithium (NAL), operated by Australian mining firm Elevra Lithium.",{"type":600,"attrs":904,"content":905},{"textAlign":49},[906],{"text":907,"type":605},"By 2030, Canada's production is expected to grow by 79% as other projects come online in the country, though NAL is set to remain the largest. Quebec-based projects are expected to account for 85% of the country's production in 2030.",{"type":721,"attrs":909},{"id":910,"body":911},"17feed98-9f3e-403c-9dda-db8bfaf1064f",[912],{"id":913,"_uid":914,"type":728,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"28989348","i-94b762bc-fba3-466d-9f15-62275c8abadb",{"type":916,"attrs":917,"content":919},"heading",{"level":918,"textAlign":49},2,[920],{"text":921,"type":605,"marks":922},"Output set to increase at NAL",[923,925],{"type":608,"attrs":924},{"color":610},{"type":926},"bold",{"type":600,"attrs":928,"content":929},{"textAlign":49},[930],{"text":931,"type":605,"marks":932},"The funding forms part of a broader capital raise designed to increase production capacity and reduce costs. The updated scoping study, released this week, considers output will increase to 338ktpa of SC5.4%, considerably higher than the previous report. Average post-expansion C1 costs are expected to be US$628/t and AISC of US$683/t, which would put the project in the mid-third quartile of Benchmark’s C1 Cost Curve in 2030.  ",[933],{"type":608,"attrs":934},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":936,"content":937},{"textAlign":49},[938],{"text":939,"type":605,"marks":940},"The company will also have a cash injection of around US$71m from the sale of its interest in the Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana to Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, announced earlier this week. The company also signaled the push towards FID of the Moblan project, also in Quebec, in which it has a majority stake, the rest being of Investissement Québec. ",[941],{"type":608,"attrs":942},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":944,"content":945},{"textAlign":49},[946,951,960],{"text":947,"type":605,"marks":948},"Québec’s ",[949],{"type":608,"attrs":950},{"color":610},{"text":952,"type":605,"marks":953},"lithium landscape",[954,958],{"type":614,"attrs":955},{"href":956,"uuid":957,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/article/why-are-lithium-prices-surging-in-china-again-","80c1a819-5c60-4407-ba5d-e6a023df02b5",{"type":608,"attrs":959},{"color":610},{"text":961,"type":605,"marks":962}," extends beyond Elevra. Rio Tinto, through Nemaska Lithium, controls the Whabouchi mine and the Becancour lithium hydroxide plant, which, even after some delays announced in Rio Tinto’s annual report, is expected to start producing from 2028. In addition, PMET Resources is advancing the Shaakichiuwaanaan project towards a final investment decision, while an updated feasibility and PEA on the CV5 and CV13 pegmatites targeted for completion in Q4 26. Recent DMS pilot work provided successful results, providing material for offtake discussions, while a new testwork programme with Koch aims to produce caesium chemical products. ",[963],{"type":608,"attrs":964},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":966,"content":967},{"textAlign":49},[968],{"text":969,"type":605,"marks":970},"The region’s lithium project pipeline also includes Critical Element’s Rose project, Winsome’s Adina and Rio Tinto’s Galaxy project, amongst others. ",[971],{"type":608,"attrs":972},{"color":610},"Québec is cementing a place as one of North America’s key lithium hubs. With competitive power prices from low-carbon hydroelectricity, robust mining infrastructure, Atlantic trade route access and strong government support, the province is developing a fast-growing pipeline of mining and chemical processing projects.\n\nNorth America’s largest operation, North American Lithium (NAL) is based in the region, and was responsible for around three quarters of the continent’s output last year. The site is operated by Elevra Lithium, formed from a merger of Sayona Mining and Piedmont Lithium in September 2025. Elevra recently received a major vote of confidence from the Canada Growth Fund in the form of a C$145m (USD$106m) convertible note commitment to support the expansion of NAL. This is expected to begin before the end of the decade. ",[975],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":976},{"job_title":557,"image":977,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":8},{"filename":552},[979,980],{"slug":822,"name":8},{"slug":819,"name":820},{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":982},{},{"id":984,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":985,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":986,"is_external_url":50},176802668261248,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/2560x1440/32145fbd02/elevra-night-lithium.jpg",{},"Québec is cementing a place as one of North America’s key lithium hubs, with competitive power prices from low-carbon hydroelectricity, robust mining infrastructure, Atlantic trade route access and strong government support.","May 18, 2026",{"id":990,"uuid":655,"name":991,"slug":992,"full_slug":993,"content":994},175389753799930,"Chile’s regulatory gridlock giving Argentina upper hand on lithium output growth","chile-s-regulatory-gridlock-giving-argentina-upper-hand-on-lithium-output-growth","article/chile-s-regulatory-gridlock-giving-argentina-upper-hand-on-lithium-output-growth",{"_uid":995,"date":996,"tags":997,"editor":1002,"content":1006,"excerpt":1155,"featured":51,"reporter":1156,"component":815,"seo_title":1160,"categories":1161,"visibility":823,"data_vis_image":1164,"featured_image":1166,"seo_description":1170,"formattedDate":1171},"f125ca8a-0c70-45b0-b804-b793a312a870","2026-05-11 00:00",[998,1001],{"slug":999,"name":1000},"chile","Chile",{"slug":572,"name":573},[1003],{"slug":851,"name":852,"content":1004},{"job_title":854,"image":1005,"bio":857,"linkedin":858},{"filename":856},{"type":597,"content":1007},[1008,1030,1052,1061,1069,1077,1085,1107,1114,1123,1145],{"type":600,"attrs":1009,"content":1010},{"textAlign":49},[1011,1016,1025],{"text":1012,"type":605,"marks":1013},"Stagnation in Chile’s lithium output growth stands in contrast to rapidly-growing Argentina, as regulatory hold-ups limit development of new projects in ",[1014],{"type":608,"attrs":1015},{"color":610},{"text":1017,"type":605,"marks":1018},"the world's third-largest-producing nation",[1019,1023],{"type":614,"attrs":1020},{"href":1021,"uuid":1022,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/videos/critical-minerals-outlook-in-the-lithium-triangle-after-bolivian-and-chilean-elections","35f411e1-30fc-4f49-9614-8e7dcad1aa8a",{"type":608,"attrs":1024},{"color":610},{"text":1026,"type":605,"marks":1027},".",[1028],{"type":608,"attrs":1029},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1031,"content":1032},{"textAlign":49},[1033,1038,1047],{"text":1034,"type":605,"marks":1035},"Two years after the official launch of the ",[1036],{"type":608,"attrs":1037},{"color":610},{"text":1039,"type":605,"marks":1040},"National Lithium Strategy",[1041,1045],{"type":614,"attrs":1042},{"href":1043,"uuid":1044,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/article/chile-accelerates-state-led-lithium-strategy-with-new-salt-flat-projects","2394c027-5ccc-4fd6-b3c5-579e3719e337",{"type":608,"attrs":1046},{"color":610},{"text":1048,"type":605,"marks":1049}," in Chile, Lithium remains a strategic national resource, meaning private operators cannot extract it using standard mining concessions. They instead require a Special Lithium Operation Contract (CEOL), a public-private contractual vehicle that grants exclusive rights to explore and exploit lithium resources on a list of pre-determined salars.",[1050],{"type":608,"attrs":1051},{"color":610},{"type":916,"attrs":1053,"content":1054},{"level":918,"textAlign":49},[1055],{"text":1056,"type":605,"marks":1057},"Regulatory gridlock blocking Chile output growth",[1058,1060],{"type":608,"attrs":1059},{"color":610},{"type":926},{"type":600,"attrs":1062,"content":1063},{"textAlign":49},[1064],{"text":1065,"type":605,"marks":1066},"Chile remains the third-largest producer in the world, behind Australia and China but well ahead of Zimbabwe, producing almost 280kt LCE in 2025. But Chile’s output comes from just two operations in the Salar de Atacama, with no new projects under development due to the regulatory gridlock as the country’s share of global production is being eroded.",[1067],{"type":608,"attrs":1068},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1070,"content":1071},{"textAlign":49},[1072],{"text":1073,"type":605,"marks":1074},"A few CEOL milestones have been announced already, including the final approval of the SQM-Codelco JV, which led to the creation of NovAndino Litio. Salares Altoandinos, as a JV between ENAMI and Rio Tinto, became the first ratified CEOL early this year, followed by CEOLs for the Codelco-Rio Tinto JV at Maricunga and CleanTech Lithium’s Laguna Verde. ",[1075],{"type":608,"attrs":1076},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1078,"content":1079},{"textAlign":49},[1080],{"text":1081,"type":605,"marks":1082},"Recently, however, the comptroller declined all CEOLs being considered in the Quillagua salar, directly impacting Llamara Group and Quillahua Minerals’ projects, claiming inconsistencies in how the initial permit was granted. ",[1083],{"type":608,"attrs":1084},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1086,"content":1087},{"textAlign":49},[1088,1093,1102],{"text":1089,"type":605,"marks":1090},"Companies have raised concerns about unclear award criteria and the possibility that larger players might be receiving preferential treatment. The result is growing uncertainty across several projects at a time when global lithium investors are looking for faster and more predictable development pathways. Since ",[1091],{"type":608,"attrs":1092},{"color":610},{"text":1094,"type":605,"marks":1095},"President Kast assumed office in March",[1096,1100],{"type":614,"attrs":1097},{"href":1098,"uuid":1099,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/article/what-do-chiles-recent-election-results-mean-for-the-lithium-and-copper-industries","059bf793-a827-4de7-adcf-b09e43ed3ff6",{"type":608,"attrs":1101},{"color":610},{"text":1103,"type":605,"marks":1104},", gridlock seems to have also affected projects at several other salars. ",[1105],{"type":608,"attrs":1106},{"color":610},{"type":721,"attrs":1108},{"id":1109,"body":1110},"f4dcbcdc-a568-440e-b7c7-0b5a8adb3e82",[1111],{"id":1112,"_uid":1113,"type":728,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"28921754","i-64e66c0c-12cc-411f-aada-8eefa5f3a469",{"type":916,"attrs":1115,"content":1116},{"level":918,"textAlign":49},[1117],{"text":1118,"type":605,"marks":1119},"Argentina captures the growth narrative",[1120,1122],{"type":608,"attrs":1121},{"color":610},{"type":926},{"type":600,"attrs":1124,"content":1125},{"textAlign":49},[1126,1131,1140],{"text":1127,"type":605,"marks":1128},"Chile’s bureaucratic gridlock stands in stark contrast to Argentina, which is aggressively advancing its lithium and copper projects, backed by ",[1129],{"type":608,"attrs":1130},{"color":610},{"text":1132,"type":605,"marks":1133},"the regimen for large investments (RIGI)",[1134,1138],{"type":614,"attrs":1135},{"href":1136,"uuid":1137,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/article/argentinas-copper-developments-accelerate-under-new-incentive-regime","d7ac7e45-8f3d-40ef-9c3e-a2238ab07b30",{"type":608,"attrs":1139},{"color":610},{"text":1141,"type":605,"marks":1142},", providing a streamlined regulatory framework and several tax benefits. ",[1143],{"type":608,"attrs":1144},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1146,"content":1147},{"textAlign":49},[1148,1153],{"text":1149,"type":605,"marks":1150},"The regime, which was originally set to expire this year, has been extended to July 2027. ",[1151],{"type":608,"attrs":1152},{"color":610},{"text":1154,"type":605},"Several companies are currently developing projects or in the final steps to qualify again for RIGI benefits, while the country’s output has been experiencing double-digit year-on-year growth since 2022. The country's 2026 output is expected grow 25% compared to 2025, compared to the 3% contraction forecast for Chile.","Stagnation in Chile’s lithium output growth stands in contrast to rapidly-growing Argentina, as regulatory hold-ups limit development of new projects in the world’s third-largest-producing nation.\n\nTwo years after the official launch of the National Lithium Strategy in Chile, Lithium remains a strategic national resource, meaning private operators cannot extract it using standard mining concessions. They instead require a Special Lithium Operation Contract (CEOL), a public-private contractual vehicle that grants exclusive rights to explore and exploit lithium resources on a list of pre-determined salars.",[1157],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1158},{"job_title":557,"image":1159,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":8},{"filename":552},"Chile's lithium output regulatory gridlock as Argentina grows",[1162,1163],{"slug":822,"name":8},{"slug":819,"name":820},{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1165},{},{"id":1167,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1168,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1169,"is_external_url":50},129066284734595,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/5cfa1bac74/bm-chile-flags-1-e1581088482197.jpg",{},"Stagnation in Chile’s lithium output growth stands in contrast to rapidly-growing Argentina, as regulatory hold-ups limit development of new projects in the world’s second-largest producing nation.","May 11, 2026",{"id":1173,"uuid":759,"name":1174,"slug":1175,"full_slug":1176,"content":1177},156649063080753,"Rio Tinto secures financing package for Rincon project in Argentina","rio-tinto-secures-financing-package-for-rincon-project-in-argentina","article/rio-tinto-secures-financing-package-for-rincon-project-in-argentina",{"_uid":1178,"date":1179,"tags":1180,"editor":1189,"content":1193,"excerpt":1344,"featured":51,"reporter":1345,"component":815,"seo_title":1349,"categories":1350,"visibility":823,"data_vis_image":1353,"featured_image":1357,"seo_description":1361,"formattedDate":1362},"fde08852-dddf-4b9d-ba38-283ee2048d8f","2026-03-19 00:00",[1181,1182,1183,1186],{"slug":572,"name":573},{"slug":581,"name":582},{"slug":1184,"name":1185},"south-america","South America",{"slug":1187,"name":1188},"data-visualisation","Data Visualisation",[1190],{"slug":851,"name":852,"content":1191},{"job_title":854,"image":1192,"bio":857,"linkedin":858},{"filename":856},{"type":597,"content":1194},[1195,1215,1223,1230,1239,1272,1291,1304,1324],{"type":600,"attrs":1196,"content":1197},{"textAlign":49},[1198,1203,1210],{"text":1199,"type":605,"marks":1200},"Rio Tinto has cleared a significant hurdle for its Rincon lithium project in ",[1201],{"type":608,"attrs":1202},{"color":610},{"text":1204,"type":605,"marks":1205},"Salta, Argentina ",[1206,1208],{"type":614,"attrs":1207},{"href":616,"uuid":617,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},{"type":608,"attrs":1209},{"color":610},{"text":1211,"type":605,"marks":1212},"by securing a US$1.175 billion financing package from a consortium of international lenders. The funding supports the US$2.5 billion development, which is aiming for a capacity of 60,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year. At nameplate, Rincon would be one of the largest lithium operations in South America, sitting behind Nova Andino Lithium (formerly SQM) and Albemarle’s operations in Chile’s Salar de Atacama. ",[1213],{"type":608,"attrs":1214},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1216,"content":1217},{"textAlign":49},[1218],{"text":1219,"type":605,"marks":1220},"The financing announcement follows Rio Tinto’s first export of 200t of battery-grade LCE from the Rincon starter plant. That plant, which entered operation last year, is expected to ramp up to 3,000t LCE per year and effectively serves as a commercial-scale demonstration of the project’s flowsheet and product quality.",[1221],{"type":608,"attrs":1222},{"color":610},{"type":721,"attrs":1224},{"id":1225,"body":1226},"51fd383a-c8ac-4f39-8d55-26c99b99e0f0",[1227],{"id":1228,"_uid":1229,"type":619,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"3620837","i-80c30348-8ba9-4134-a225-3be1a74e2a76",{"type":916,"attrs":1231,"content":1232},{"level":918,"textAlign":49},[1233],{"text":1234,"type":605,"marks":1235},"Announcement bolsters Rio Tinto’s brine position",[1236,1238],{"type":608,"attrs":1237},{"color":610},{"type":926},{"type":600,"attrs":1240,"content":1241},{"textAlign":49},[1242,1247,1253,1262,1267],{"text":1243,"type":605,"marks":1244},"From early 2025, Rio Tinto has increased its involvement in the lithium market. ",[1245],{"type":608,"attrs":1246},{"color":610},{"text":1248,"type":605,"marks":1249},"Management has used the recent downcycle in lithium prices to consolidate its exposure to the battery materials space, first through ",[1250],{"type":608,"attrs":1251},{"color":1252},"#18181B",{"text":1254,"type":605,"marks":1255},"the acquisition of Arcadium Lithium",[1256,1260],{"type":614,"attrs":1257},{"href":1258,"uuid":1259,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},"/article/rio-tinto-commits-to-buy-arcadium-lithium-for-6-7-billion","a48744cb-c3ff-40c9-8afc-ac6fc9845a7d",{"type":608,"attrs":1261},{"color":1252},{"text":1263,"type":605,"marks":1264}," and now by accelerating development across selected projects in its portfolio.",[1265],{"type":608,"attrs":1266},{"color":1252},{"text":1268,"type":605,"marks":1269}," ",[1270],{"type":608,"attrs":1271},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1273,"content":1274},{"textAlign":49},[1275,1280,1286],{"text":1276,"type":605,"marks":1277},"Rio Tinto has recently announced that it would slow down construction at its Nemaska Lithium processing facility, in Quebec, Canada in light of rising costs and a strategic review on spodumene supply. By contrast, the company is doubling down on the “Lithium Triangle”,  prioritising Rincon as well as its projects in Chile. The scale and longevity of the South American salars, in addition to a strategic timeline to secure Incentive Scheme for Large Investments (RIGI) tax and foreign exchange benefits in Argentina, and Special Lithium Operating Contract ",[1278],{"type":608,"attrs":1279},{"color":610},{"text":1281,"type":605,"marks":1282},"(",[1283],{"type":608,"attrs":1284},{"color":1285},"#001D35",{"text":1287,"type":605,"marks":1288},"CEOL) approval in Chile, increase their appeal relative to Canadian hard-rock development, which faces hurdles including tariff uncertainty.",[1289],{"type":608,"attrs":1290},{"color":610},{"type":916,"attrs":1292,"content":1293},{"level":918,"textAlign":49},[1294,1300],{"text":1295,"type":605,"marks":1296},"Increases Argentina’s role in lithium supply chain",[1297,1299],{"type":608,"attrs":1298},{"color":610},{"type":926},{"text":1268,"type":605,"marks":1301},[1302],{"type":608,"attrs":1303},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1305,"content":1306},{"textAlign":49},[1307,1312,1319],{"text":1308,"type":605,"marks":1309},"The agreement cements Argentina’s position as one of the ",[1310],{"type":608,"attrs":1311},{"color":610},{"text":1313,"type":605,"marks":1314},"global leaders in lithium production",[1315,1317],{"type":614,"attrs":1316},{"href":690,"uuid":691,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},{"type":608,"attrs":1318},{"color":610},{"text":1320,"type":605,"marks":1321},", increasing its capacity considerably.",[1322],{"type":608,"attrs":1323},{"color":610},{"type":600,"attrs":1325,"content":1326},{"textAlign":49},[1327,1332,1339],{"text":1328,"type":605,"marks":1329},"Politically, it represents ",[1330],{"type":608,"attrs":1331},{"color":610},{"text":1333,"type":605,"marks":1334},"a milestone for Milei's RIGI law",[1335,1337],{"type":614,"attrs":1336},{"href":1136,"uuid":1137,"anchor":49,"target":876,"linktype":619},{"type":608,"attrs":1338},{"color":610},{"text":1340,"type":605,"marks":1341},", which has helped secure billions in mining investment to develop copper and lithium projects. The presence of Rio Tinto also raises confidence around future mining projects.",[1342],{"type":608,"attrs":1343},{"color":610},"Rio Tinto has cleared a significant hurdle for its Rincon lithium project in Salta, Argentina by securing a US$1.175 billion financing package from a consortium of international lenders. The funding supports the US$2.5 billion development, which is aiming for a capacity of 60,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year.",[1346],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1347},{"job_title":557,"image":1348,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":8},{"filename":552},"Rio Tinto secures financing for Rincon project in Argentina",[1351,1352],{"slug":822,"name":8},{"slug":819,"name":820},{"id":1354,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1355,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1356,"is_external_url":50},156676598805365,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/891x845/8aa54d0078/rio-tinto-map.png",{},{"id":1358,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1359,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1360,"is_external_url":50},129070995649049,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/b6de7372ec/bm-rincon.jpeg",{},"Rio Tinto has cleared a significant hurdle for its Rincon lithium project in Salta, Argentina by securing a US$1.175 billion financing package from a consortium of international lenders.","Mar 19, 2026",{"id":1364,"uuid":1365,"name":1366,"slug":1367,"full_slug":1368,"content":1369},136730978197360,"843c52cb-18a1-43d5-88f6-fce666ba998b","Sigma’s Brazil issues could tighten lithium supply dynamics","sigmas-brazil-issues-could-tighten-lithium-supply-dynamics","article/sigmas-brazil-issues-could-tighten-lithium-supply-dynamics",{"_uid":1370,"date":1371,"live":51,"tags":1372,"editor":1381,"content":1385,"excerpt":1535,"featured":51,"reporter":1536,"component":815,"seo_title":1366,"categories":1540,"visibility":1543,"author_company":547,"data_vis_image":1544,"featured_image":1548,"seo_description":1552,"author_full_name":547,"author_job_title":547,"formattedDate":1553},"17e4efa6-89d0-40ed-afd5-36bf5112caf8","2026-01-16 00:00",[1373,1376,1377,1380],{"slug":1374,"name":1375},"brazil","Brazil",{"slug":1187,"name":1188},{"slug":1378,"name":1379},"lithium-prices","Lithium prices",{"slug":1184,"name":1185},[1382],{"slug":588,"name":589,"content":1383},{"job_title":591,"image":1384,"bio":594,"linkedin":595},{"filename":593},{"type":597,"content":1386},[1387,1392,1397,1418,1425,1431,1442,1448,1475,1480,1485,1490,1495,1500,1505,1510,1523],{"type":600,"attrs":1388,"content":1389},{"textAlign":49},[1390],{"text":1391,"type":605},"Three waste piles from Sigma Lithium’s Grota do Cirilo lithium mine in Brazil have been shut down following a government inspection which found them to pose a risk to workers and the local community.",{"type":600,"attrs":1393,"content":1394},{"textAlign":49},[1395],{"text":1396,"type":605},"Although Sigma contests the ruling, this adds an extra layer of difficulty for the miner which had only just ramped production back up after an operational pause to upgrade the mine from late September 2025 through to October and much of November.",{"type":600,"attrs":1398,"content":1399},{"textAlign":49},[1400,1402,1409,1411,1417],{"text":1401,"type":605},"This pause in operation tightened global spodumene concentrate spot availability, at a time when reduced supply responsiveness to an ",{"text":1403,"type":605,"marks":1404},"improving demand picture",[1405],{"type":614,"attrs":1406},{"href":1407,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/ganfeng-chairmans-speech-adds-fuel-to-lithium-price-rally-in-china","url",{"text":1410,"type":605}," was already leading to ",{"text":1412,"type":605,"marks":1413},"increases in lithium prices",[1414],{"type":614,"attrs":1415},{"href":1416,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/why-are-lithium-prices-in-china-soaring-this-week",{"text":1026,"type":605},{"type":721,"attrs":1419},{"id":1420,"body":1421},"57cad969-22cf-44cf-b91f-c7205d9c4f62",[1422],{"id":1423,"_uid":1424,"type":728,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"27244419","i-5de41f89-a346-4cbd-b995-d248852643c4",{"type":916,"attrs":1426,"content":1428},{"level":1427,"textAlign":49},4,[1429],{"text":1430,"type":605},"What role does Sigma Lithium play in Brazil’s lithium industry?",{"type":600,"attrs":1432,"content":1433},{"textAlign":49},[1434,1440],{"text":1435,"type":605,"marks":1436},"Sigma Lithium’s Grota do Cirilo",[1437],{"type":614,"attrs":1438},{"href":1439,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/video/watch/sigma-lithium-on-building-out-lithium-production-in-brazil",{"text":1441,"type":605}," began operations in 2023, becoming Brazil’s largest lithium mine. In 2025, the mine accounted for around 60% of the country’s lithium output.",{"type":721,"attrs":1443},{"id":1420,"body":1444},[1445],{"id":1446,"_uid":1447,"type":728,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"27244096","i-f7dcc71b-cc3e-4722-a5f0-484783bc298a",{"type":600,"attrs":1449,"content":1450},{"textAlign":49},[1451,1453,1459,1461,1466,1468,1474],{"text":1452,"type":605},"In Q2 2025, it produced about 68kt of concentrate but sold only 40kt, accumulating around 28kt tonnes in ",{"text":1454,"type":605,"marks":1455},"inventory",[1456],{"type":614,"attrs":1457},{"href":1458,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/lithium-chemical-prices-fall-as-inventory-builds",{"text":1460,"type":605}," whilst prices were falling. In Q3 2025, Sigma’s ~49kt of sales exceeded its estimated 44kt of production, confirming the company’s use of ",{"text":1454,"type":605,"marks":1462},[1463],{"type":614,"attrs":1464},{"href":1465,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/video/watch/decoding-lithium-inventories-using-benchmarks-data-to-anticipate-price-moves",{"text":1467,"type":605}," as a buffer and allowing Sigma to time shipments against ",{"text":1469,"type":605,"marks":1470},"price volatility",[1471],{"type":614,"attrs":1472},{"href":1473,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/direct-spodumene-hedging-becomes-essential-amid-lithium-market-decoupling",{"text":1026,"type":605},{"type":600,"attrs":1476,"content":1477},{"textAlign":49},[1478],{"text":1479,"type":605},"In late September, Sigma paused production at the mine to terminate contractor mining arrangements and move to an owner-operator model, increase its mining fleet size, and incorporate the Greentech 3.0 dense media separation plant which is reported to have recovery rates above 70%. During this time, Sigma has focused on selling inventory.",{"type":600,"attrs":1481,"content":1482},{"textAlign":49},[1483],{"text":1484,"type":605},"The pause meant the full phase 1 nameplate capacity of 270ktpa (36ktpa LCE) was not fully available to the market in 2025. Sigma’s Phase 2 increase to 520ktpa (72ktpa LCE) has also been pushed to the end of 2026, further reducing available Brazilian tonnes.",{"type":600,"attrs":1486,"content":1487},{"textAlign":49},[1488],{"text":1489,"type":605},"So far in January 2026, Sigma has supplemented its sales of concentrate inventory with the sale of lower-grade lithium fines. It sold 100kt of lithium fines at around US$125 per tonne, generating roughly US$11 million, while disclosing a remaining fines stockpile of approximately 850kt tonnes on site. Such a strategy could signal liquidity concerns as Sigma is effectively destocking sub-economic material to bridge cash flow while it rebuilds run-rate mining volumes.",{"type":916,"attrs":1491,"content":1492},{"level":1427,"textAlign":49},[1493],{"text":1494,"type":605},"What other challenges is Sigma Lithium facing in Brazil?",{"type":600,"attrs":1496,"content":1497},{"textAlign":49},[1498],{"text":1499,"type":605},"If the Brazilian Labour Ministry’s shutdown of three waste piles becomes a long term restriction, this could have operational impacts on Sigma as dry-stacked waste facilities are integral to normal stripping and processing.",{"type":600,"attrs":1501,"content":1502},{"textAlign":49},[1503],{"text":1504,"type":605},"Additionally, the Federal Public Ministry is pursuing legal action against Sigma Lithium seeking suspension of licences across the Jequitinhonha Valley, which could potentially also affect other companies such as CBL and AMG, citing alleged breaches of ILO Convention 169 (Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention) and water-related impacts. This raises the prospect of court-ordered curtailments that sit outside corporate control.",{"type":916,"attrs":1506,"content":1507},{"level":1427,"textAlign":49},[1508],{"text":1509,"type":605},"What impact could this have on prices?",{"type":600,"attrs":1511,"content":1512},{"textAlign":49},[1513,1515,1521],{"text":1514,"type":605},"For the wider sector, especially ",{"text":1516,"type":605,"marks":1517},"Chinese converters",[1518],{"type":614,"attrs":1519},{"href":1520,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/spodumene-prices-pressure-processors",{"text":1522,"type":605},", issues at Grota do Cirilo translate into fewer reliable, high-grade Brazilian tonnes in 2026 than headline capacity projections would imply. This increases China’s reliance on existing Australian and emerging African sources and reduces short-term supply elasticity just as demand continues to rise. Between January and October 2025, Brazil accounted for ~5% of China’s spodumene concentrate imports.",{"type":600,"attrs":1524,"content":1525},{"textAlign":49},[1526,1528,1533],{"text":1527,"type":605},"As previously reported, reduced supply elasticity means that ",{"text":1529,"type":605,"marks":1530},"price becomes the primary balancing force",[1531],{"type":614,"attrs":1532},{"href":1416,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},{"text":1534,"type":605}," for the market.","Three waste piles from Sigma Lithium’s Grota do Cirilo lithium mine in Brazil have been shut down following a government inspection which found them to pose a risk to workers and the local community. Although Sigma contests the ruling, this adds an extra layer of difficulty for the miner which had only just ramped production ...",[1537],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1538},{"job_title":557,"image":1539,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":8},{"filename":552},[1541,1542],{"slug":819,"name":820},{"slug":822,"name":8},"public",{"id":1545,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1546,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1547,"is_external_url":50},136731724972053,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/1588x1478/b58afede39/social-sigma-brazil-2x.png",{},{"id":1549,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1550,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1551,"is_external_url":50},136731839868957,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/1200x675/deb611db7d/sigma-160223-24.jpg",{},"Three waste piles from Sigma Lithium’s Grota do Cirilo lithium mine in Brazil have been shut down following a government inspection which found them to pose a risk to workers and the local community. Although Sigma contests the ruling, this adds an extra ","Jan 16, 2026",{"id":1555,"uuid":1556,"name":1557,"slug":1558,"full_slug":1559,"content":1560},133953884420224,"aefaf74d-5567-4207-9bf5-3d4cd537682c","SQM’s Atacama lithium operation secured to 2060 with Codelco partnership approval","sqm-atacama-lithium-operation-secured-to-2060-with-codelco-partnership-approval","article/sqm-atacama-lithium-operation-secured-to-2060-with-codelco-partnership-approval",{"_uid":1561,"date":1562,"tags":1563,"editor":1576,"content":1580,"excerpt":1733,"featured":50,"reporter":1734,"_editable":1738,"component":815,"seo_title":1739,"categories":1740,"visibility":1543,"author_company":49,"data_vis_image":1743,"featured_image":1746,"seo_description":1749,"author_full_name":49,"author_job_title":49,"formattedDate":1750},"7dff9bc6-820c-4247-86e2-ce68544fb6ce","2026-01-02 00:00",[1564,1565,1568,1569,1572,1573],{"slug":999,"name":1000},{"slug":1566,"name":1567},"codelco","Codelco",{"slug":1187,"name":1188},{"slug":1570,"name":1571},"novaandino-litio","NovaAndino Litio",{"slug":1184,"name":1185},{"slug":1574,"name":1575},"sqm","SQM",[1577],{"slug":588,"name":589,"content":1578},{"job_title":591,"image":1579,"bio":594,"linkedin":595},{"filename":593},{"type":597,"content":1581},[1582,1595,1615,1620,1628,1633,1646,1651,1656,1669,1674,1679,1692,1728],{"type":600,"attrs":1583,"content":1584},{"textAlign":49},[1585,1587,1593],{"text":1586,"type":605},"Chilean regulators approved the deal between ",{"text":1588,"type":605,"marks":1589},"SQM and state-owned miner Codelco",[1590],{"type":614,"attrs":1591},{"href":1592,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/sqm-and-codelco-confirm-chilean-lithium-partnership",{"text":1594,"type":605}," to operate a lithium joint venture, named NovaAndino Litio, in the Atacama salt flats. This deal resolves a long-standing uncertainty surrounding what would happen when SQM’s existing mining license expired in 2030.",{"type":600,"attrs":1596,"content":1597},{"textAlign":49},[1598,1600,1606,1608,1614],{"text":1599,"type":605},"NovaAndino Litio will take over operations of SQM’s Salar de Atacama site – the world’s second-largest lithium operation, forecast to produce 12% of global mined lithium in 2026, according to ",{"text":1601,"type":605,"marks":1602},"Benchmark’s Lithium Service",[1603],{"type":614,"attrs":1604},{"href":1605,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/lithium",{"text":1607,"type":605},". The Atacama is also home to ",{"text":1609,"type":605,"marks":1610},"Albemarle’s Chilean operations",[1611],{"type":614,"attrs":1612},{"href":1613,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/lithium-prices-react-to-news-of-chilean-shutdown-but-real-supply-impact-may-be-limited",{"text":1026,"type":605},{"type":600,"attrs":1616,"content":1617},{"textAlign":49},[1618],{"text":1619,"type":605},"The deal effectively secures production at the site through to 2060. The operation currently has a capacity of ~210,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, with capacity due to ramp up to 300,000 tonnes per year by 2030.",{"type":721,"attrs":1621},{"id":1622,"body":1623},"fd0abe37-ac75-4b7c-b4d1-2907da5b3cb4",[1624],{"id":1625,"_uid":1626,"type":728,"_editable":1627,"component":729,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"27042205","i-2f6a6668-e4bd-42bc-8f23-61ebf4cee325","\u003C!--#storyblok#{\"name\": \"ContentFlourish\", \"space\": \"\", \"uid\": \"i-2f6a6668-e4bd-42bc-8f23-61ebf4cee325\", \"id\": \"\"}-->",{"type":916,"attrs":1629,"content":1630},{"level":1427,"textAlign":49},[1631],{"text":1632,"type":605},"What does the partnership mean for Chile’s lithium industry?",{"type":600,"attrs":1634,"content":1635},{"textAlign":49},[1636,1638,1644],{"text":1637,"type":605},"President Gabriel Boric’s administration released a ",{"text":1639,"type":605,"marks":1640},"National Lithium Strategy in 2023",[1641],{"type":614,"attrs":1642},{"href":1643,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/what-does-chiles-national-lithium-strategy-mean-for-albemarle-and-sqm",{"text":1645,"type":605},". Central to this was the formation of public-private partnerships such as that between SQM and Codelco. Codelco will have a majority 50% +1 share stake in the joint venture, with SQM accounting for the rest. Crucially, this does not constitute expropriation; rather, it formalises a renewal mechanism that guarantees operational certainty under a new governance model.",{"type":600,"attrs":1647,"content":1648},{"textAlign":49},[1649],{"text":1650,"type":605},"SQM will retain operational control until 2031, at which point Codelco will take control.",{"type":600,"attrs":1652,"content":1653},{"textAlign":49},[1654],{"text":1655,"type":605},"The announcement follows a period of political and legal tension. The Chilean Supreme Court’s recent rejection of appeals from Tianqi Lithium (which holds a 22.1% stake in SQM) removed a key obstacle to the partnership, clearing the path for implementation and ending months of speculation over control and compliance. However, the Chilean regulator also launched an audit on the partnership around the same time as approving the deal.",{"type":600,"attrs":1657,"content":1658},{"textAlign":49},[1659,1661,1667],{"text":1660,"type":605},"Although the partnership was ",{"text":1662,"type":605,"marks":1663},"first announced in 2024",[1664],{"type":614,"attrs":1665},{"href":1666,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/sqm-forms-private-public-partnership-with-codelco-for-chilean-lithium-production",{"text":1668,"type":605},", its formalisation provides greater certainty for Chile’s lithium industry and supports long-term planning across the battery sector.",{"type":600,"attrs":1670,"content":1671},{"textAlign":49},[1672],{"text":1673,"type":605},"Chile’s lithium sector is losing share to growing supplies from China. In 2020, Chile was the second largest lithium producer, accounting for 29% of supply. By 2025, it had fallen to third position with 18%, whilst China accounted for 21%.",{"type":916,"attrs":1675,"content":1676},{"level":1427,"textAlign":49},[1677],{"text":1678,"type":605},"What does the partnership mean going forwards?",{"type":600,"attrs":1680,"content":1681},{"textAlign":49},[1682,1684,1690],{"text":1683,"type":605},"Although ",{"text":1685,"type":605,"marks":1686},"President-elect José Antonio Kast",[1687],{"type":614,"attrs":1688},{"href":1689,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/what-do-chiles-recent-election-results-mean-for-the-lithium-and-copper-industries",{"text":1691,"type":605}," has questioned the absence of a fresh tender process, the incoming administration could use the new framework to attract private investment and accelerate project approvals.",{"type":600,"attrs":1693,"content":1694},{"textAlign":49},[1695,1697,1703,1705,1711,1713,1719,1721,1727],{"text":1696,"type":605},"Chile is expected to open tenders (CEOLs) to ",{"text":1698,"type":605,"marks":1699},"new salars",[1700],{"type":614,"attrs":1701},{"href":1702,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/chile-accelerates-state-led-lithium-strategy-with-new-salt-flat-projects",{"text":1704,"type":605}," to rival ",{"text":1706,"type":605,"marks":1707},"Argentina’s",[1708],{"type":614,"attrs":1709},{"href":1710,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/view-from-the-ground-in-argentina-a-defining-moment-for-dle",{"text":1712,"type":605}," RIGI (",{"text":1714,"type":605,"marks":1715},"Incentive Regime for Large Investments",[1716],{"type":614,"attrs":1717},{"href":1718,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/argentinas-copper-developments-accelerate-under-new-incentive-regime",{"text":1720,"type":605},"), which has recently channelled significant capital to ",{"text":1722,"type":605,"marks":1723},"developers such as Rio Tinto",[1724],{"type":614,"attrs":1725},{"href":1726,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":49,"linktype":1408},"https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/rio-tinto-to-explore-eli-dle-technology-for-south-american-lithium-assets",{"text":1026,"type":605},{"type":600,"attrs":1729,"content":1730},{"textAlign":49},[1731],{"text":1732,"type":605},"A potential challenge going forward for the partnership will be the integration of different styles of business: SQM’s private-sector agility may conflict with Codelco’s state structure, raising the risk of bureaucratic friction.","Chilean regulators approved the deal between SQM and state-owned miner Codelco to operate a lithium joint venture, named NovaAndino Litio, in the Atacama salt flats. This deal resolves a long-standing uncertainty surrounding what would happen when SQM’s existing mining license expired in 2030. NovaAndino Litio will take over operations of SQM’s Salar de Atacama site […]",[1735],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1736},{"job_title":557,"image":1737,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":8},{"filename":552},"\u003C!--#storyblok#{\"name\": \"article\", \"space\": \"\", \"uid\": \"7dff9bc6-820c-4247-86e2-ce68544fb6ce\", \"id\": \"\"}-->","SQM’s Atacama lithium operation secured with Codelco partnership",[1741,1742],{"slug":819,"name":820},{"slug":822,"name":8},{"id":49,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1744,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1745,"is_external_url":51},"https://res.cloudinary.com/benchmarkminerals/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1767362112/www-production/Socials-Top-10-lithium-2026-Q4-2025-forecast@2x/Socials-Top-10-lithium-2026-Q4-2025-forecast@2x.png?_i=AA",{"alt":547,"title":547,"source":547,"copyright":547},{"id":49,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1747,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1748,"is_external_url":51},"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/ba6e13286c/bm-photo-salar-1.jpg",{"alt":547,"title":547,"source":547,"copyright":547},"Chilean regulators approved the deal between SQM and state-owned miner Codelco to operate a lithium joint venture, named NovaAndino Litio, in the Atacama salt flats.","Jan 02, 2026",1780932667089]