Japan and Bolivia to Hold Regular Talk on Lithium Development

Japan Oil, Gas & Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), an incorporated administrative agency to assist upstream activities for mineral resources and energies, announced the agency agreed with Bolivian government to hold regular discussions about lithium development at Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. Japanese mission, including JOGMEC, governmental ministries, agencies and private sectors, will provide information about infrastructures and technologies necessary for the development. Japanese side aims stable supply of lithium carbonate, the main material for lithium ion batteries.

Japanese mission held a meeting with Bolivia’s mining minister, Luis Alberto Echazu, in La Paz, Bolivia on 4 June. The mission included JOGMEC, Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), Nippon Export & Investment Insurance (NEXI) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Japanese mission suggested cooperative lithium development at Salar de Uyuni between Bolivia and Japanese companies including JOGMEC. Bolivian government showed an intention for the development and the production of lithium carbonate as national project. Meanwhile, the government represented a strong expectation for Japanese technology and fund supports. They agreed in holding regular discussions for the future development.

Salar de Uyuni is a salt lake, located 300 kilometers west from Potosi and at 3,700-meter altitude. Probable lithium reserve is 5.55 million tonnes, the world largest level. Lithium is used at 2,800-5,700 grams per electric vehicle and 0.3 grams per cellular phone.