Chile to nationalise lithium industry

President Gabriel Boric of Chile has announced his government will nationalise the country’s vast lithium industry, of which it is the world’s second largest producer

GLOBAL LITHIUM PRODUCTION (kilotonnes, 1995-2021)
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995

Australia: 55.4  52% of total
Chile: 26.0      25%
China: 14.0      13%
2021 total:  106.0

Key
Argentina: 6.0
Brazil: 1.5
Zimbabwe: 1.2
U.S.: 0.9
Portugal: 0.9
Rest of world: 0.1

Spike in production linked to increasing popularity of electric vehicles

President Boric (above) wants to use Chile’s abundent resource to transition country to more sustainable and developed economy
 
      
LITHIUM CONSUMPTION (%)
Batteries
1 2 6 74 14 3
27 23 31 10 5 4 

Key
Glass/ceramics 
Grease
Air treatment 
Metal industry
Other

2021
2010
 
1995 total: 9.5

Sources: Reuters, WEF, Albemarle
Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS