The Caliche Kairos consortium submitted an application for the Coipasa salt flat.
Applications have been received from multiple companies for projects in the Agua Amarga, Ascotan, and Coipasa salt flats. Eramet has applied for exploration rights in the Agua Amarga salt flat. For the Ascotan salt flat, submissions were made by Eramet, Quiborax, and Chile’s state-owned copper company, Codelco. The Caliche Kairos consortium has applied for the Coipasa salt flat. These applications mark a step toward expanding Chile’s lithium industry.
The process follows a 2023 policy introduced by President Gabriel Boric to enhance state involvement in lithium resources while promoting public-private partnerships. A key element of this strategy is a proposed joint venture between Codelco and SQM, Chile’s largest lithium producer, alongside opening additional salt flats for development.
The Mining Ministry emphasized that contracts, known as Special Lithium Operation Contracts (CEOL), will be awarded once requirements, including indigenous consultations, are fulfilled. Applicants must agree to the terms to secure contracts. If terms are not accepted, the ministry will initiate public bidding processes, similar to those launched for the Ollague salt flat in Antofagasta and the Piedra Parada and Laguna Verde salt flats in Atacama.
Eligibility for the streamlined contract process requires applicants to demonstrate ownership of mining concessions, adequate financial resources, and relevant experience in mining or related industries. The ministry also completed indigenous consultations for amending a CEOL at the Maricunga salt flat for Codelco. “All that remains is the publication of the closing resolution, which will include the 11 agreements reached with the six communities that participated in the process,” the ministry stated.
In a related development, Codelco secured a $666 million loan in April 2025 from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and a private financial institution to support its operations. These efforts reflect Chile’s commitment to strengthening its lithium sector, a critical component of the global renewable energy supply chain, through clear regulations and collaborative partnerships.
