World’s Largest Lithium Deposit Halts Production

Chile’s lithium mining giant, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S. A (NYSE:SQM), has suspended operations at the Atacama salt flat due to widespread protests by the indigenous Toconao community. About 500 protesters have blocked six different spots on public roads in the southern area of the salt flat, disrupting the movement of workers and mining equipment. Local groups are demanding to be included in talks between SQM and the government, claiming they were sidelined in a recent agreement between SQM and state-run copper firm Codelco. Chile is home to the world’s largest lithium reserves, 90% of which are in the Atacama desert. 

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