1. What?
LITHIUM
What is lithium?
It is the lightest metal that exists.
Its name identified from the Greek word for “stone”: lithium.
On the periodic table of the elements it has the symbol Li and the atomic number 3. In its pure form, it is a soft, silver-white metal that quickly oxidizes in air or water.
Lithium is used for:
Batteries
Medicine
Cell phones
Notebooks
Electric
Vehicles
Lubricants
FRESH WATER V/S BRINE
Fresh water and brine: Why are they different?
The extraction of brine from the Salar de Atacama does not directly affect the fresh water resources of the area.
FRESH WATER V/S BRINE
What is the difference between water and brine?
350
35
5
LITHIUM
Main Lithium Compounds
Main Lithium Compounds
Lithium carbonate
• Rechargeable batteries.
• Special glasses.
• Ceramic and tile.
• Cements and special adhesives.
• Powders for continuous casting of steel and polymers.
• Aluminum
Main Lithium Compounds
Lithium hydroxide
Main Lithium Compounds
LITHIUM CHLORIDE
Main Lithium Compounds
METALLIC LITHIUM
2. Where?
WHERE CAN WE FIND LITHIUM?
A desert fertile in lithium
The world’s largest lithium reserve is located in the Salar de Atacama, in Chile. SQM operates here, lithium is obtained from brine in a sustainable process. It is processed in solar evaporation ponds for more than 12 months.
Main sources of lithium in the world
Chile 0%
Australia 0%
Argentina 0%
China 0%
Source: USGS
52%
3. How?
Sustainable lithium in the Salar de Atacama
SQM has:
- Strict environmental approvals from authorities.
- Concern for the cultural and environmental heritage of the area.
- Permanent commitment to improve your processes.
- Measurement of your carbon footprint.
- Emission reduction plan.
- Optimization in the use of water.
- Constant monitoring of operation through a robust system.
SUSTAINABLE LITHIUM IN THE SALAR DE ATACAMA
Robust monitoring system
225
- Flora and fauna monitoring plan.
- Monitoring of satellite images.
- Wildlife censuses.
- Limnological studies.
- Early Warning Plan.
- Online monitoring program open to the community.
- Monitoring of extraction in ponds.
150
Through various agreements and commitments, more than 150 programs are carried out today to collaborate with the preservation of the cultural and environmental heritage, the development of the area and neighboring towns.
The plans focus on social development, education and culture, historical heritage and agriculture, and they work together with the communities, according to their requirements.
All operations are regulated in accordance with the highest international standards. In Chile, 15 state levels review compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
4. Why?
LITHIUM MOVES THE WORLD
The importance of lithium
Lithium and its derivatives constitute a key input for technological development and electromobility. It is essential in pharmaceutical applications and also has industrial uses.
If you get on an electric vehicle, wear glasses, walk on a ceramic or turn on a computer, you are interacting with products that use lithium in their manufacture.
LITHIUM MOVES THE WORLD
Where is lithium present in my life?
Communications
Transportation
Health
LITHIUM MOVES THE WORLD
Advantages of electromobility
• It protects the environment.
• No noise pollution is generated.
• It´s more efficient.
• Comfortable driving is obtained.
• Little maintenance is needed.
60 MILLIONS
LITHIUM MOVES THE WORLD
Uses of Lithium
If you wear glasses, walk on ceramics, or turn on a computer, you are interacting with products that use lithium in their making.
Being one of the metals with the highest energy density, it is a material that is widely used in the technological area.
5. ¿Who??
ORIGINARY COMMUNITIES, FLORA AND FAUNA
Communities near the Salar
• Camar at 43km.
• Tocaonao at 50km.
• Socaire at 50km.
• Talabre at 53km.
Distance from the Core
37
ORIGINARY COMMUNITIES, FLORA AND FAUNA
FLORA AND FAUNA
SQM works in the driest desert in the world. In the core of the Salar there is only a salt crust and there has never been any flora or fauna. Nor has any element of environmental interest been recognized.
In the surroundings there is plant and animal life, and for it´s protection, SQM´s Environmental Impact Study has a robust environmental monitoring plan.
52
SINCE 1997 BY CONAF.
6. FACTS & MYTHS
Life Cycle of Lithium (Life Cycle Assessment of Lithium)
Environmental inspection in the Salar de Atacama
Impact of brine extraction
Control of carbon footprint
Protection of flamingos
State control of extraction
Minimal environmental impacto
Monitoring program and CONAF
