The Chile Government has announced that it is progressing with streamlining the process for awarding lithium contracts across three salt flats, reported Reuters, citing the Mining Ministry.
The Mining Ministry confirmed the receipt of applications from various entities to explore and potentially develop the lithium projects.
Eramet has applied for rights in the Agua Amarga salt flat. In the Ascotan salt flat, applications were submitted by Eramet, Quiborax and Codelco, Chile's state-owned copper company.
The Caliche Kairos consortium submitted an application for the Coipasa salt flat.
These developments follow President Gabriel Boric's 2023 initiative to increase state control over lithium resources and form public-private partnerships to bolster the industry.
The proposed plan includes a state-controlled joint venture between Codelco and SQM, the nation's largest lithium miner, and aims to open up other salt flats for development.
The ministry highlighted that once indigenous consultations and other prerequisites for the Special Lithium Operation Contracts (CEOL), the special lithium mining permit, are met, contracts will be signed with the applicants if they concur with the terms.
In the event of disagreement, the ministry indicated that public bidding processes would commence, similar to those initiated for the Ollague salt flat in the Antofagasta region, and Piedra Parada and Laguna Verde in the Atacama region.
To be eligible for the expedited contract award process, interested parties were required to demonstrate ownership of the mining concession, sufficient financial capacity and relevant experience in mining or the associated value chain.
Furthermore, the ministry noted that the dialogue for indigenous consultation to amend a CEOL at the Maricunga salt flat for Codelco has been completed.
The statement said: "All that remains is the publication of the closing resolution, which will include the 11 agreements reached with the six communities that participated in the process."
Earlier this month, Codelco secured a $666m (631.83bn pesos) loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and a private financial institution.
