Rio Tinto has been selected as the preferred partner for the Salares Altoandinos lithium project in Chile’s Atacama region. This selection was confirmed by Empresa Nacional de Minería (ENAMI), a state-owned mining company in Chile.
Jakob Stausholm, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto, expressed the company’s honor at being chosen, stating: “We are honoured to have been selected by ENAMI as the preferred partner for the Salares Altoandinos project, which has the potential to be a world-class lithium development.”
The agreement outlines that Rio Tinto will acquire an initial 51% stake in the project, with ENAMI retaining 49%. The deal is pending binding agreements and regulatory approvals.
Rio Tinto is advancing its position as a leader in energy transition commodities with a strategic pipeline of lithium assets. The company recently acquired Arcadium Lithium and holds one of the largest lithium portfolios globally. Its projects span across South America, Canada, and Serbia.
In South America, partnerships include new ventures with Codelco in Chile and multiple projects in Argentina such as Rincon and Fenix. These efforts align with Rio Tinto’s long-term view on lithium demand growth, which it expects to increase by more than 10% annually through 2040.
Rio Tinto’s commitment includes leveraging its established presence in the Lithium Triangle and employing advanced technologies like Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). The company aims to engage deeply with local communities while minimizing environmental impacts.
The Atacama region’s potential is significant for developing copper and lithium resources. In Argentina, Rio Tinto plans to expand operations into large-scale hubs. Across its projects, it focuses on infrastructure investment and reducing freshwater use through innovative processing techniques.
Details on capital projects include planned expansions in Argentina’s Salta province and Catamarca province, along with ongoing work at sites like Nemaska Lithium in Canada. Future collaborations include developments at Salar de Maricunga alongside Codelco.
As these initiatives progress, Rio Tinto continues evaluating global opportunities to solidify its standing in the lithium market.
For more information or media inquiries regarding this development or other projects under Rio Tinto’s portfolio, interested parties can contact representatives listed from their respective regions including United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
