Chile plans five more lithium tenders in push to double output

Chile plans to issue tenders for five additional lithium projects next year as part of a drive to more than double output of the battery metal within a decade, Mining Minister Daniel Mas told Reuters.

Mas was appointed by President Jose Antonio Kast, who is seeking to revive growth in the world's largest copper producer through corporate tax cuts and investment incentives.

Mas said five lithium projects awaiting approval would be fully privately operated.

Once those projects are approved-which he hopes will happen early next year-Chile plans to launch tenders for five more.

Those developments could help lift Chile's lithium output from about 300,000 metric tons a year to 700,000 tons within five to 10 years, Mas said.

Chile is also seeking to shorten the time needed to secure mining permits, Mas said.

The government is building on reforms introduced under Boric, whose administration presented two major bills aimed at streamlining permitting.

Mas said appeal processing times had fallen by 80% and that the government had approved 22 mining projects worth nearly $3 billion this year.

.Asian Metal Copyright Mas was appointed by President Jose Antonio Kast, who is seeking to revive growth in the world's largest copper producer through corporate tax cuts and investment incentivesAsian Metal Copyright