Salares Altoandinos
  Location within Atacama Region  Location within Chile | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Products | Lithium carbonate |
| Company | National Mining Enterprise Rio Tinto |
Salares Altoandinos (lit. "High Andean Saltflats") is a lithium mining project in Diego de Almagro, Atacama Region, Chile.[1]
Structure
The project is a public–private joint venture of National Mining Enterprise (ENAMI) and Rio Tinto, an association that is by contract set to last until 2060.[1] Prior to the selection of Rio Tinto as partner Eramet had made a bid to associate with the Chilean state.[2] The project is estimated to require an investment of US$3,000 million.[1][3] The project could produce from 2032 to 2060 lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at an annual rate of 75,000 metric tons.[2]
The three salt flats to be intervened for the mining of lithium-rich brine are Aguilar, Grande and La Isla.[2]
Disputes
Starting in July 2025 the project has been affected by a legal dispute in Chilean courts between ENAMI and Eramet over access rights in the project area.[2] A similar dispute with Eramet affects Codelco's lithium mining project with Rio Tinto in Salar de Maricunga farther south.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 "Primer Contrato de la Estrategia Nacional del Litio recibe aprobación definitiva de Contraloría para su operación en Atacama". Revista Nueva Minería y Energía (in Spanish). 2026-02-06. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "¿Qué hay detrás de la batalla judicial entre Enami y Eramet por el proyecto Salares Altoandinos de US$3.200mn en Chile?". BNamericas (in Spanish). 2026-03-06. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ↑ Sandoval, Lindy (2026-02-07). "Estrategia Nacional del Litio: Contraloría da luz verde a proyecto Salares Altoandinos en Atacama". Radio Bío-Bío (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-05.