As lithium demand rises, investors sharpen focus on Chile, Argentina and Bolivia

In line with the breakneck growth in lithium demand, driven by the unprecedented use of the soft, silver-white metal in new battery technologies, investors are increasingly scrutinising South American countries such as Bolivia, Chile and Argentina, where about 70% of the world’s known lithium deposits are found, to ascertain investment stability. Despite various market analysts contesting the pace at which lithium demand was growing, London-based risk management consultancy PGI Intelligence believed market trends indicated that lithium would be an increasingly profitable sector in mining in the next five years.