Geopolitical Implications of Critical Mineral Mining in the Lithium Triangle
Introduction
Background and Relevance
The Lithium Triangle sits in the Andean Plateau region of Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. 60% of the world’s known lithium reserves are contained within a subterranean brine found beneath the regions high-altitude salt flats, known as salars.
The current energy transition has increased the market demand for lithium, which is the primary component of lithium-ion batteries, used in most electronic devices and in notably large quantities in electric vehicle batteries.