Bolivia chooses energy giant CATL for lithium exploitation

A Bolivian state-owned company signed an agreement in La Paz on Friday with a Chinese firm to construct two industrial complexes to produce lithium carbonate. YLB (Bolivian Lithium Deposits) penned the deal with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world's largest manufacturer and recycler of lithium batteries.

President Luis Acre attended the signing ceremony. The industrial complexes will be built at the Uyuni Salt Flat, one of the world's largest salt deserts and home to a large lithium reserve, as well as at the Coipasa Salt Flat in Oruro. Arce has said he hopes to revive the country's lagging lithium industry, which has put it behind neighbours Chile and Argentina.