The team of scientists working in the Conchas project of the company Berkeley Energy in Salamanca He has made a great discovery. It is a huge lithium site, a mineral called ‘white gold’ because it is very value to manufacture the batteries of the mobile phones and electric cars. Therefore, in China, one of the giants of technologies production, have already been interested in this finding.
The work area is located next to the border with Portugal and the work of extractionwhich could place Spain to the Head of electric mobility production. Because? Because with this material you can manufacture batteries for electric cars.
The director of Berkley Energy, Robert Behets, explained that with this discovery a new horizon is opened in the future of technology. In addition, he explained that the surface encompasses an area of 31 square kilometers in Ciudad Rodrigo. “Its exploitation would place Spain at the head of the mineral industry.”
There is no date to start extracting lithium
For Start with lithium extraction worka viability study is being carried out. And thanks to this, the importation of this mineral from several countries could be reduced, especially from Latin America.
What we need to know is profitability. That is, to know if it will bring account to medium – long term, Since to perform extraction work, a great human team and specialized machinery are needed, which entails a great expense.
In the event that the viability report is positive, Salamanca will have an impressive economic impulse. Always counting, yes, with sustainability and environmental studies.
The problems could come, especially in the rivers, to their biodiversity. Thanks to a report, the rules that regulate extraction and decrease the impact on the environment can be specified.
China wants the Spanish lithium site
Lithium is an important mineral because it is used not only for the manufacture of the battery of mobiles or tablets, but is increasingly present in the automobile industry. Therefore, because it can be used for electric cars, it is key to the energy transition. And China has placed it in the center of its most immediate plans.
In 2020, China already got enter the lithium market, With investments in Latin America and Brazil, it was the country chosen to install a lithium battery factory. Then, in 2023, Yahua (an important Asian company in the sector) bought 15,000 tons of lithium To Sigma Lithium.
This company operates in a mine in the Valley of Minas Gerais, where it has been estimated that 854% of the production of Lithium of Brazil is concentrated, and has a reserve of more than one million tons.
China’s interests are in more than 8 lithium -exploitation mining projects
Today, and according to the BBC medium, the interests of the Asian giant are in 8 mining lithium extraction projects. In Chile, he is a shareholder of the SQM producer, who is the second largest in the world, and in Argentina they are working on 8 lithium deposits of very relevant importance.
One of them is known as Salar Centenario Mouses, administered by the Chinese company Tsingan Holding Group, with 24,000 tons. And now a new window of wealth is opened with the site discovered in Salamanca.