The high-tech chemical industry has turned lithium into a highly valued resource today. Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and SpaceX, has expressed interest in this "new white oil" due to its importance in battery production for electric vehicles. Both Musk and Bill Gates agree that Argentine lithium has a promising future, as demand for this mineral is expected to significantly increase in the coming decade.
In this sense, Argentina has the second largest lithium reserves in the world, being a key country for Musk's strategy. The entrepreneur has sought to diversify lithium supply sources for Tesla, establishing connections with companies and political leaders in the region.
Musk's interest in Argentine lithium is not limited to this mineral alone but also extends to other critical metals such as copper, essential for his operations. Additionally, Argentina has been mentioned as a strategic territory for the production and extraction of these minerals due to its potential to meet global demand in the context of the energy transition.
The "Lithium Triangle," composed of Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina, holds about half of the known lithium reserves in the world. In Argentina, these reserves are mainly found in provinces like Catamarca, Salta, and Jujuy. More than 40 mining projects backed by international companies are underway in the region, highlighting the relevance the country is gaining in the global mining industry.
