Lithium brines in South America : a research roadmap to facilitate rapidly and responsibly sourced lithium

This report describes the findings of a series of workshops to understand the challenges behind rapid increasing lithium supply whilst ensuring responsible sourcing. The workshops, held in Argentina and Chile, sought to understand the main challenges for increasing lithium supply from salar brines. They involved stakeholders from government (national and provincial), operators, research organisation and universities alongside NGOs enabling local understanding of the challenges to be elicited. Nine challenges were identified (Salar processes; Environmental challenges; New technologies for Li production; Infrastructure, supply chains and development; Data &Transparency; Governance; Social issues; Standards & Certification; Global Li market). A research roadmap to address these issues has been developed and is presented in the report.