SQM - SQM will begin lithium talks with Chile 'this semester' - Reuters

2023-04-24 16:12:11 ET

Chile's government will start talks with Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ( NYSE: SQM ) over operations in the Atacama salt flat "immediately during this semester" to convince the lithium producer to sign onto a state-led public-private model, Economy Minister Nicolas Grau told Reuters on Monday.

In his first interview with global media since the government unveiled plans to increase state control of lithium mining in the country, Grau said state miner Codelco would start talks over public-private lithium production "particularly with SQM... as soon as possible."

"Regarding the conversations related to the Salar de Atacama, I want to be very clear on this, it is something that is going to be defined during this government," Grau said; the next national election is scheduled for 2025.

SQM ( SQM ) closed Monday +6.1% after plummeting 18.5% Friday following President Gabriel Boric's announcement that the state planned to boost control over Chile's lithium industry .

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