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Lithium Triangle Initiative
As the global community pursues sustainable economic development, lithium is playing an increasingly critical role. The metal is used for rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles and for the energy storage needed to expand renewable energy. As a result, global demand for lithium is expected to grow rapidly, and supply will have to keep pace.
Latin America’s Lithium Triangle (Argentina, Bolivia and Chile) and Peru account for more than half of the world’s lithium, and establishing a strong investment climate will be key to boosting the region’s lithium production to help meet global demand and address climate change. For South America, lithium resources are a promising economic engine, but producers will face a variety of challenges, including infrastructure demands, environmental regulation, water management and social concerns.
To support the sustainable development of Latin America’s lithium resources, the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program, in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), launched the Lithium Triangle Initiative (LTI) to collaborate with the private sector and regional governments to help develop best practices for this critical sector.

All Eyes on Chile amid Global Scramble for Lithium
“The global scramble for lithium, including by the United States, China and Europe, will promote continued experimentation in this strategic industry, including in Chile,” writes Patricia I. Vásquez, a global fellow in the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program.

Lithium Production in Chile and Argentina: Inverted Roles
In this new paper, Patricia I. Vásquez, a global fellow in the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program, explores the distinct approaches in Chile and Argentina to the development of their lithium industries
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