This is the Final Project for the World Bank Group course: Unlocking Investment and Finance in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs). It is a slide about Lithium. The mineral which is used for batteries for cell phones and electric cars. An investment to be made in South America between Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

1. LITHIUM
The mineral of the future...

2. WHY?
●
The lithium has many actual uses and a big
perspective of future.
●
This is because it has a lot of uses and it’s
relative scarcity.

3. USES
These are the most important uses of Lithium this
days:
●
Battery production for electrical cars.
●
Battery production for electronical devices.
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Preparation of glasses and ceramics.
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Aluminum production.
●
Lubricants manufacturing.

4. WHERE IS IT?
●
The biggest reserve of this mineral is in South
America (85% of it).
●
“The Lithium Triangle” as it is called is between
Argentina (Salar del hombre muerto), Bolivia
(Salar de Uyuni) and Chile (Salar de Atacama).
●
One of the advantages of this is that it is really
close to the Pacific Ocean with a direct exit to
Asia, particularly China.

5. EXTRACTION
●
Lithium salts are extracted
from water in mineral
springs, brine pools, and
brine deposits. Brine
excavation is probably the
only lithium extraction
technology widely used
today because it is the
cheapest method to extract
it.

6. OBSTACLES
●
Despite the triangle is really close to the Pacific
Ocean, it is not an easy-access zone.
●
El Salar del Hombre Muerto (Argentina) is 4000
meters over the ocean.
●
El Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) is 3600 meters over the
ocean.
●
El Salar de Atacama (Chile) is 2000 meters over
the ocean.
●

7. OBSTACLES
●
Different governments. There are 3 different
presidents and a lot of local authorities to talk
with. They have of course different interests.
●
For example, if the main inversion is going to be
in Argentina, negotiations must me made with
Chile’s government. Exit through Pacific Ocean is
much more fast than through the Atlantic Ocean.

8. OBSTACLES
●
Ambient factors. Lithium extraction requires a big
quantity of water. Investors must keep that in mind
since this is not an abundant resource in this
area.

9. ESG INVESTING PRINCIPLES
●
Water re-utilization Since this is not an abundant
resource as I said before, it is important to
improve extraction methods so as not to use a lot
of water during it.

10. ESG INVESTING PRINCIPLES
●
Infrastructure/Roads. Connection between
localities inside and outside the triangle must be
improved. There has to be a better connection
with the Pacific Ocean. In order to improve
connection between north of Argentina and Bolivia
with the Atlantic Ocean there must be a train
between this two places and the ports of Rosario
or Buenos Aires.

11. ESG INVESTING PRINCIPLES
●
I+D. There must be research. This must be so as
to add value to the lithium and no to export the
raw material itself.

12. ESG INVESTING PRINCIPLES
●
Human Resources. Interact with local and
national authorities. Human resources must be
provided by them. Also they must insure the
quality of life of the workers by providing the
public and social services necessary for their lifes.

13. SOURCES
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https://www.geopolitica.ru/es/news/el-triangulo-del-litio-por-q
●
https://www.clarin.com/mundo/insaciable-apetito-china-litio-e
●
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/el-triangulo-del-litio-tr
●
https://www.proydesa.org/portal/index.php/noticias/1567-
litio-argentino-que-es-y-como-se-extrae-el-combustible-
del-futuro
●
https://data.worldbank.org/