and Albemarle operating in Salar de Atacama are among the largest lithium producers in the World. The lithium extraction process in Salar de Atacama begins with salty brine being pumped out of the ground and then put to rest in evaporation ponds so the remaining brine is slowly enriched in lithium. The evaporation pond stage takes usually 12 to 18 months which is the time it takes for it to reach a lithium concentration of 6%. The final processing is done in Planta Salar del Carmen and Planta La Negra near the city of Antofagasta on the coast where pure lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium chloride are produced from the brine. Gallery References Bibliography External links Depressions of Chile Atacama Landforms of Antofagasta Region Atacama Desert Birdwatching sites in Chile