CleanTech Lithium PLC on Wednesday welcomed a decision by the Chilean government to involve the private sector in lithium production.
The Chile-focused lithium exploration and development company has already expressed interest in Laguna Verde and the Francisco Basin by submitting a contract application.
On Tuesday, a committee led by the Chilean Minister of Environment unanimously approved the creation of a protected salt flat network. To fulfil the government’s goal of increasing lithium production, in line with its National Lithium Strategy, it was also agreed that private companies can take leadership roles on salars that are outside the protected network and are not defined as strategic.
Private companies will be called upon as early as April to express their interest, with contracts being awarded after July.
Chief Executive Officer Aldo Boitano said: ‘The announcement made by the Chilean government moves the National Lithium Strategy forward in a very positive way. The news brings certainty to those salt flats that will be subject to a more detailed environmental assessment and those that are for potential exploration and eventually exploitation.’
CleanTech shares were up 0.9% to 14.88 pence each in London on Thursday morning.
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