International
Argentina’s lithium pipeline promises “white gold” boom as Chile tightens control
April 24 |
In Argentina’s mountainous north, a robust portfolio of lithium projects about to come online looks set to unlock a production wave that could triple its output of the key metal for electric vehicle batteries in the next two years.
The world’s fourth-largest producer of the silvery-white metal sits within the so-called “lithium triangle” and has been attracting investment from Canadian mining companies to ones from China with a regional and market-driven model, even as a wave of resource nationalism has swept through the region.
Neighboring Chile, the region’s top lithium producer, last week unveiled plans for a state-led public-private model, spooking investors. Bolivia has long maintained tight control over its huge but largely untapped resources, while Mexico nationalized its lithium deposits last year.
In Argentina, although state energy company YPF YPFD.BA began exploring for lithium last year, the sector has been driven largely by private enterprise and periodic approvals of new projects as the government has sought to attract more export dollars through mining, a rare bright spot amid the economic downturn.
“Argentina has been granting concessions to projects for the last 10 years,” said Franco Mignacco, president of the Argentine Mining Business Chamber. “That’s why today we have this level of lithium investment and development and the possibility of growth.”
Mignacco estimated that Argentina’s current production of 40,000 tons of lithium carbonate could triple by 2024-2025 to 120,000 tons, which could take it beyond China and closer to Chile, which currently produces about 180,000 tons per year.
That would be driven by new projects coming online in addition to the two currently in production. The country has six lithium projects under construction and 15 in advanced exploration or feasibility stage, Mignacco said.
Argentina, Bolivia and Chile together sit on half of the world’s mineral resources beneath otherworldly salt flats in the high-altitude Andean plains.
But strategies for developing it diverge.
“Argentina’s lithium sector has thrived through a decentralized pro-market strategy,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America program at The Wilson Center, adding that, in contrast, Bolivia’s lithium sector “has repeatedly stagnated as a result of excessive state control.”
Chile, he said, may have found a “smart middle ground” with its public-private model, which would hand majority control of all new lithium projects to the state in a nationalist shift, but would still give private enterprise a key role.
The wave of resource nationalism has sparked some talk among officials of a possible OPEC-style lithium cartel in the region, although analysts see this as unrealistic given the industry’s diverse models and levels of development.
Meanwhile, Argentina faces challenges including economic turbulence with high inflation and capital controls complicating business, while the country heads into general elections in October, creating political uncertainty.
However, its lithium pipeline may keep the sector buzzing and even gain ground on rivals. Overtaking neighboring Chile would be highly unlikely, but some analysts were aiming high.
“Chile today produces and exports much more lithium than Argentina,” said Natacha Izquierdo, an analyst at consultancy ABCEB. “But if the projects we have here today come to fruition, Argentina could overtake us.”
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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