President Luis Arce said that the eyes of the world are on Bolivia, which has confirmed its position as the largest producer of lithium, and he assured that the country will participate in the entire production chain for the extraction of the mineral.

Yacimientos de Litio Boliviano (YLB) and the Chinese company Hong Kong CBC Investment Limited signed an agreement on Tuesday for the construction of two lithium carbonate plants using EDL technology (direct lithium extraction) that will be located in the Uyuni salt flat.

The Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Altiplano country, Alejandro Gallardo, reported that the production of 35,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year is expected, 10,000 in the first plant and 25,000 in the other. The Chinese company will invest US$ 1.03 billion in the works.

President Luis Arce stressed that the eyes of the world are on Bolivia, which has confirmed its position as the largest producer of lithium, and assured that the country will participate in the entire production chain for the extraction of the mineral.