Argentina and Bolivia deepen joint lithium research agenda

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With the aim of pursuing and deepening the common scientific-technological exchange and development agenda in lithium research, Argentine Minister of Science Daniel Filmus and his counterpart from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Franklin Molina Ortiz held an online meeting yesterday October 13.

“Promoting energy sovereignty, providing added value to our natural resources and deepening joint efforts is a substantial part of our agenda with Bolivia, but they are also president Alberto Fernández’s instructions to me when I took over the portfolio.” “We are working towards generating our own technological developments and guaranteeing the energy transition,” Filmus said.

The meeting also served to continue outlining the framework agreement between Y-TEC (YPF’s technology company) and state-owned YLB (Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos Corporación) and the creation of the Andean Center for Lithium Cooperation.

Also present were the Argentine Ambassador to Bolivia Ariel Basteiro, the Undersecretary of Institutional Coordination Pablo Núñez, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Y-TEC Roberto Salvarezza, the advisor on international issues Lucila Rosso, the Vice Minister of High Energy Technologies (Bolivia) Álvaro Arnez and the Executive President of YLB Carlos Humberto Ramos Mamani.

Argentina and Bolivia, exporters of primary inputs such as unrefined lithium carbonate, are seeking to become producers in the lithium value chain.