Reserves, resources and lithium exploration in the salt flats of northern Chile

Abstract

The discovery of lithium in the Salar de Atacama in northern Chile in 1969 laid the foundations for the development of the world’s leading lithium brine deposit. The available background on the brine deposits located in the Atacama and Maricunga salt flats indicates reserves of 10,879,000 tons of lithium, to which resources are added for 3,335,100 tons of lithium identified in 9 additional Andean and pre-Andean salt flats. The future of exploration is also auspicious considering that there is information on the presence of lithium-bearing brines in another 13 salt flats and 36 identified prospective areas that have not yet been studied. The level of lithium reserves and resources identified and the encouraging expectations for exploration place Chile as a relevant player in the development of the lithium industry worldwide.