- Статьи
- World
- Decisive La Paz: Bolivia does not abandon the lithium mining project with the Russian Federation
Decisive La Paz: Bolivia does not abandon the lithium mining project with the Russian Federation
The new Bolivian authorities are not abandoning cooperation with Russia in the field of lithium mining in the Uyuni salt marsh, but they may reconsider the terms of the existing agreement, Dmitry Verchenko, the Russian ambassador to this Latin American country, told Izvestia. The project of Rosatom and the Bolivian state-owned enterprise YLB (Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos) was not launched under the presidency of leftist leader Luis Arce due to bureaucratic difficulties, now its implementation may be hampered by the desire of the center-right administration to strengthen ties with the United States and focus on projects with Washington. At the same time, Moscow focuses on the advantages of increasing bilateral cooperation.
The future of the lithium mining project in Bolivia
The Bolivian authorities are not abandoning a joint lithium mining project with Russia, at least at the level of statements, Russian Ambassador to Bolivia Dmitry Verchenko told Izvestia.
— During our contacts with members of the Government of Rodrigo Paz, including Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy Mauricio Medinaceli, who oversees the lithium industry, we focused on the issue of the Russian-Bolivian contract under consideration in the local parliament. At the declarative level, official La Paz does not abandon the prospect of bilateral cooperation in the field of mining "white gold," the ambassador said.
At the same time, according to him, local authorities do not hide their intention to make adjustments to the existing legislation regulating the energy sector.
— According to the information available to us, these legislative initiatives may, among other things, change the order and conditions of cooperation with foreign companies interested in participating in the development of the lithium sector in the country. In this regard, we would not rule out that the mentioned bilateral contract will be finalized in order to bring it in line with the requirements of the new government," Dmitry Verchenko added.
Bolivia, along with Chile and Argentina, is part of the so-called lithium triangle. The reserves of this metal in the country are estimated at about 23 million tons. Russia also has large lithium reserves, but for a long time it has been more profitable for Moscow to buy the metal abroad rather than mining it in the country.
The agreement on the construction of a plant in the Bolivian Uyuni salt marsh between a subsidiary of Rosatom State Corporation and the Bolivian state-owned enterprise YLB (Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos) was signed a year and a half ago, in September 2024, however, work has not begun due to bureaucratic difficulties. It was expected that the plant's capacity would be about 14 thousand tons of lithium carbonate per year. In particular, it is necessary for the production of electric vehicles, electronics and renewable energy sources.
Questions about whether the Bolivian parliament will return to considering the agreement with Russia began to arise during the presidential campaign of the new head of the Latin American state, Rodrigo Paz. He declared his intentions to get closer to the United States and renegotiate the terms of lithium contracts with Moscow and Beijing.
— The issue of agreements on the development of lithium deposits concluded under the government of Luis Arce with Chinese and Russian companies was one of the important points of Rodrigo Paz's election program. At the same time, it was not about a direct refusal to cooperate, but about ensuring transparency of these agreements and a possible revision of their terms," explained Anna Agapova, a researcher at the ILA RAS.
The Potosi Department, which is supposed to develop lithium deposits, remains one of the most conflict-ridden regions of the country, the expert noted. Among the demands of the protesters, led by the Potosi Civic Committee (COMPICO), are the adoption of a special law regulating the extraction of rare metals, an increase in royalties to the department, preliminary consultations with the local population and an assessment of environmental damage before the ratification of contracts pending in Parliament.
— In the presidential elections, voters in Potosi and other mining departments of Bolivia supported Pace (more than 60% of the vote), which is not least due to its promises of transparency in mining agreements and consultations with representatives of indigenous peoples. The use of advanced technologies that minimize environmental damage speaks in favor of continuing cooperation. In addition, delays in the development of the mining industry and the industrialization of Bolivian lithium will mean a delay in making profits from this and injections into the budget of the Andean country," Agapova believes.
Izvestia sent a request regarding a future joint project with Bolivia to Rosatom State Corporation. Russia relies on "pure" lithium: a unique technology of sorption extraction has been chosen for the development of deposits. Alexey Likhachev, the head of Rosatom, previously stressed that this method allows to take more than 90% of the metal from the salt marsh, while maintaining the natural balance. The main advantage is complete environmental friendliness: the process does not require aggressive chemicals, and the used water is returned back to the bowels, removing all the concerns of local residents.
Relations between Russia and Bolivia under the new leadership
For almost 20 years, representatives of the left wing of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party have been in power in Bolivia. Russia has managed to build productive cooperation with them. Contacts at the level of presidents and foreign ministers were regular. During Luis Arce's presidency, Bolivia even joined BRICS as a partner country.
The change of power in the state took place in early November. Following the results of two rounds, the center-right Rodrigo Paz won the election. A week before assuming the presidency, he went on a visit to the United States in search of funding to solve the crisis situation in his country, and some time later an American government delegation visited Bolivia. All this is a new round in relations between La Paz and Washington, considering that for 17 years there has not even been an American ambassador in the Latin American state.
— The elected president came to power with the promise, according to the electoral formula, "to open Bolivia to the world and the world to Bolivia." The intention of the current administration to work with each interested state on a mutually beneficial basis is emphasized, primarily with a view to attracting investments to the country and implementing strategic bilateral projects. The Bolivian leadership focuses on strengthening multipolarity and increasing the "international weight" of La Paz, Dmitry Verchenko said.
According to the diplomat, in this context, the preservation of partnership relations with Russia should remain in the orbit of the Bolivian leadership's foreign policy priorities.
"Our country's significant potential, including in the scientific and technological sphere, can give local authorities additional levers and tools to stabilize the difficult socio-economic situation in Bolivia," said the Russian ambassador.
On the Bolivian side, there is also a positive attitude towards the prospect of maintaining partnership relations with Russia, Verchenko stressed.
— Our suggestions and suggestions are under consideration from the Bolivian side. We are waiting for signals of readiness to move from words to concrete actions," he concluded.
Russia has never limited the circle of partner countries to the ideological views of their governments. Rodrigo Paz also did not declare his refusal to cooperate with the Russian Federation. The conclusion of separate contacts between the companies of the two countries, for example, in the food or pharmaceutical fields, seems quite possible.
"At the same time, in light of the adoption of the new US National Security Strategy and the orientation of the newly elected Bolivian government towards cooperation with the North American hegemon, the conclusion of agreements with the Russian Federation on new mega-projects of strategic importance for the development of Bolivia and requiring the support of the Bolivian authorities seems unlikely," Anna Agapova is convinced.
Most likely, Bolivia's position in major international organizations will also change on many issues. The restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel can serve as a signal for this, the expert concluded. At the same time, there is no understanding yet of what actions Bolivia will take through the BRICS.
"BRICS is a good trade association," Rodrigo Paz briefly answered a journalist's question about whether Bolivia would retain its partner status at the end of October.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
