It is likely to be more expensive than in Korea or China or Japan. Japanese and South Korean may need to make big investments to break into South America's lithium industry as they chase Chinese rivals who have tied up resources in other parts of the world. China's Tianqi Lithium may be blocked from buying a stake in Chile's SQM over concerns that it will control too much of global supply. The biggest challenge for China is not just finding enough lithium, but also keeping prices low. South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI and metals supplier Posco have committed to building a battery materials plant in Chile in exchange for securing lithium at a discount from SQM and US-based Albemarle.
Japanese and South Korean may need to make big investments to break into South America's lithium industry as they chase Chinese rivals who have tied up resources in other parts of the world. China's Tianqi Lithium may be blocked from buying a stake in Chile's SQM over concerns that it will control too much of global supply. The biggest challenge for China is not just finding enough lithium, but also keeping prices low. South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI and metals supplier Posco have committed to building a battery materials plant in Chile in exchange for securing lithium at a discount from SQM and US-based Albemarle.