CleanTech Lithium PLC (CTL) has commented on the Chilean Government's announcement yesterday in regard to the Expressions of Interest, otherwise known as RFI, which are part of the process towards the awarding of Special Lithium Operating Contracts, or CEOLs.
These CEOLs are required to develop lithium projects in the country.
CleanTech has already submitted RFIs for the advanced Laguna Verde and Viento Andino projects and three others in Joint Ventures and, as per yesterday's update, now expects to hear back by the end of August 2024.
CTL believes it is well positioned to meet the criteria set out by the Government as evidenced by CTL's advancement in Direct Lithium Extraction and the existing alliance with the local communities to co-develop the company's lithium projects.
On Tuesday 9th July, the Government confirmed a total of 88 RFIs were received for the available salars in Chile to develop lithium projects with over 80% set to use DLE technologies.
Details in regard to which companies or the number of submissions received per salar were not provided.
According to the official announcement the government will engage local communities in July to inform them of the results of the RFI process and gather their views and concerns. The government is currently analysing the projects by looking at the financial capacity of the respective company, the estimated annual production, the proposed use of technology, relevant experience in mining projects, and level of project progress.
The government will then announce by the end of August the mechanisms for allocation over the prioritised deposits.
"The Chilean government has confirmed the RFI procedure is ongoing and that all applications made by interested parties are being reviewed, with a further update expected by the end of August,” commented Steve Kesler, executive chairman of CleanTech Lithium PLC.
“We remain very confident that our flagship project, Laguna Verde, which is the most advanced DLE project in Chile, will be prioritised by a government that has said it wishes to see new lithium projects in production by 2026. We will continue to liaise with government and the communities to seek the earliest award of a CEOL."
View from VOX
Permitting is always a knotty process, especially in countries like Chile, where mining is a serious issue in politics. Still, on the other side of that coin, the country is well-versed in the ways of mining and has stated repeatedly a desire to build up its capacity in lithium production. The potential is certainly there, and companies like CleanTech have the capability to deliver.
To date, the company has demonstrated that it is developing lithium projects in line with the objectives of the National Lithium Strategy, and in particular it has focussed the close involvement of locals.