Bolivia, which has nearly a quarter of the world’s lithium reserves, has shown its keenness to have joint ventures between one of its public sector enterprises with Indian firms to meet the demand of the metal that is used for manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles, smart phones and laptops.
Sources in the road transport ministry said Bolivian ambassador Sergio Dario Arispe Barrientos proposed this at a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday.
Officials said Barrientos told Gadkari that Yacimientos De Litios Bolivianos (YLB), one of its PSEs, has researched and developed technology for processing of the evaporative resources from salt flats.
The company has developed and validated a technological process for extraction of battery grade lithium carbonate, potassium chloride, potassium sulphate and magnesium chlorides, which have been commercialised in national and international markets.
Earlier Bolivia had shown interest on signing a preferential trade agreement with India to woo Indian investors to manufacture lithium batteries and related products.
