Lithium mining developments advance in Peru and Bolivia

In Peru, Macusani Yellowcake, a subsidiary of American Lithium, has increased its planned investment for the Falchani lithium project to US$834 million for its initial stage. Located in Puno at an altitude of over 4,500 meters, the project targets hard-rock lithium deposits. The updated plan aims for an initial production capacity of 25,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually for the first four years, with future projections to reach 44,000 tonnes and eventually 100,000 tonnes per year through successive stages.

The company expects to seek exploitation approval by the second half of 2028, following necessary regulatory and environmental processes. To date, approximately US$90 million has been spent on drilling and associated studies. The project holds an estimated resource of roughly 9.5 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.

In Bolivia, the state-owned company Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) reported operational improvements at the Llipi Industrial Complex near the Salar de Uyuni. Under the leadership of executive president Guillermo Trigo Nagel, the company is implementing a continuous improvement strategy to optimize existing plant capacities and address pending operational tasks through direct engagement with facility personnel.