In northern Chile, at just over 2,300 metres above sea level, three thousand square kilometres of eerie landscape mark the world\u2019s driest desert. The Salar de Atacama, a white sea of salt, conceals huge reserves of one the most sought-after metals there is \u2013 lithium.<\/p>\n
For several months,\u00a0Tianqi<\/a>, the Chinese company that controls the largest share of lithium reserves in the world, has tried to reach an agreement with Chilean company\u00a0Sociedad Qu\u00edmica y Minera<\/a>\u00a0de Chile (SQM<\/a>), which owns the largest deposits in the country.<\/p>\n The dispute revolves around what would amount to the Chinese company\u2019s control of the majority of global lithium reserves and their purchase of the raw material with Chile adding little value. Chile considers lithium \u2013 the exploitation of which poses big, and as yet unknown, risks to the environment \u2013 strategically important for its economy.<\/p>\nThe Dispute<\/h2>\n