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The Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) has granted its authorization. It joins that of the Chilean National Economic Prosecutors Office and those of international competition regulatory authorities. The alliance between the National Copper Corporation of Chile (Codelco) and the Chemical and Mining Society of Chile (SQM) has received authorization from the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) to increase the production quota of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in the Salar de Atacama by 300,000 tons, while maintaining the extraction and water use limits established in the current contract with Corfo. This authorization adds to previous approvals from Chiles National Economic Prosecutors Office (FNE) and competition regulators in Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union , consolidating the progress of the agreement for joint lithium exploitation in the countrys main producing region. The increase in SQMs authorized lithium production quota will be achieved through improvements in process efficiency, the adoption of new technologies, and operational optimization, without requiring additional brine extraction or increased use of inland water. The authorization, formalized through CCHEN Board of Directors Agreement No. 2483/2025, modifies the one granted in 2018 and establishes that, if the partnership agreement with Codelco is not finalized before December 31, 2025, the maximum quota to be extracted will be reduced by 300,000 tons of LCE until the end of the contractual period in 2030. The Codelco-SQM alliance for lithium exploitation in the Salar de Atacama has been reviewed by national and international regulatory authorities. The European Commission authorized the joint venture after concluding that it did not pose a risk to competition in the European market, given the companies limited position in this area. Days ago, Chiles National Economic Prosecutors Office also approved the transaction, with certain mitigation measures, following a review process that included consultations and objections from various stakeholders in the sector. The agreement, announced in May 2024 , will allow Codelco and SQM to exercise exploitation rights in the Salar de Atacama, one of the largest lithium deposits in the world, until 2060. SQM already extracts more than 200,000 tons of lithium carbonate annually in the area, and the alliance seeks to significantly increase production through efficiency improvements, new technologies, and operational optimization, without increasing brine extraction or the use of inland water. Other initiatives with lithium In parallel with the development of the extractive industry, Chile is promoting initiatives for technological development and the circular economy around lithium. Projects such as LiBR3, led by CircularTec, seek to reuse and recycle lithium batteries from electric vehicles, extending their useful life in renewable energy storage systems. In addition, the Production Development Corporation (Corfo) has funded innovation projects focused on battery remanufacturing and reconditioning, as well as the development of new technological solutions for lithium production and recycling. The Center for Research, Development, and Innovation in Lithium Batteries at the Universidad Católica del Norte and other academic institutions are working on technologies for recycling and reusing materials, with the goal of strengthening the lithium value chain in Chile and responding to the growing global demand driven by electromobility and energy storage. |
