9
Currently the exploitation of lithium and uranium is
being reviewed again by MINEM. The fundraising chal-
lenge is to create a clear regulatory framework. As part of
the development of the annual PDAC 2022 exploration
and mining conference, the possibility of developing lith-
ium and uranium in the country was discussed again. This
time, the possibility of developing this activity was left open
by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) itself. So,
with that in mind, Minister Herrera indicated that from
her portfolio she will promote clear regulations regarding
the exploitation of lithium and uranium especially for the
first, which is currently a key element for the production
of batteries for electric cars therefore, its high demand in
the world. “We must be clear that the mantles at the Latin
American level, particularly lithium, are being worked in
a unified way for their extraction with the corresponding
standards,” said the minister.
Regulatory framework. It is necessary for the govern-
ment to approve a specific regulation for lithium, which
completes and improves the current General Mining Law. If
a better regulatory framework is approved, it would attract
greater national and foreign investment for the exploration
and exploitation of lithium. This would generate employ-
ment and royalties. Peru could become an important pro-
ducer and exporter of lithium. It would benefit from the
growing global demand for this strategic mineral for batter-
ies and technology. However, it is key that lithium exploita-
tion is done in a sustainable manner, with environmental
protection, prior consultation with communities, and pro-
moting productive linkages.
The challenge will be to achieve a balance between eco-
nomic, social and environmental aspects. Proper regulation
would help achieve this goal.
The lithium boom in South America has brought with
it increases in socio-environmental conflicts. Chile has seen
an increase of 15–20% according to NGOs, with demands
for access to water, compensation and oversight. It is esti-
mated that Argentina started with low mining social con-
flict (5%) which with the incipient development of lithium
mining would have registered a moderate 10% increase,
currently reaching 15%. Bolivia does not yet commer-
cially exploit lithium, but a potential increase of 25–30% is
estimated due to its fragile social balances. Australia, with
established mining, has only seen a marginal 5% increase.
China, as an importer, sees more pollution from processing
than social conflicts. Chile and Bolivia are the most prone
to significant increases in social problems due to lithium,
needing proactive management. The average increase is
estimated at 15–20%.%.
Peru is at an early stage, with currently low social ten-
sions of 5–10%, but with projections of a 15–25% increase
with large-scale exploitation, which could be mitigated
with good social management practices.
DISCUSSION
The Technological Impact on the Lithium Economy
Within the Global Market
In the results of this work, the growth that coincides with
the research carried out by [20], [21], could be seen, a sales
percentage of 33% of electric vehicles, but, it has a varia-
tion in the results of the cited authors in which adds in
his research that sales of electric vehicles went from 450
thousand to 2.1 million (2015 to 2019), represented as a
percentage would be 28% of global vehicle sales and Melisa
indicates that the percentage in those same years is 30 %.
The onages produced by the countries mentioned in
the results of Table 1 coincide with the tons of produc-
tion in metric tons with the publication made by [22] and
[23]. But they have a variation with respect to the countries
Australia (55,000), Chile (26,000) and Argentina (6,200).
And the last author mentioned varies with the production
of China (14,000).
The Discovery of Puno’s White Gold
Different sources indicates that it is not possible to exploit
uranium and lithium, because they are found together,
there is a long and complicated road ahead, although there
are laws for this type of operation in Peru. But, according
Table 4. Lithium production phase in Puno
Phases Years
Approximations (tons per
year)
1 1–7 22,000
2 8–12 45,000
3 13–33 85,000
[1]
Figure 13. Social conflicts in Perú, Argentina, Chile and
Bolivia (Own source)
Currently the exploitation of lithium and uranium is
being reviewed again by MINEM. The fundraising chal-
lenge is to create a clear regulatory framework. As part of
the development of the annual PDAC 2022 exploration
and mining conference, the possibility of developing lith-
ium and uranium in the country was discussed again. This
time, the possibility of developing this activity was left open
by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) itself. So,
with that in mind, Minister Herrera indicated that from
her portfolio she will promote clear regulations regarding
the exploitation of lithium and uranium especially for the
first, which is currently a key element for the production
of batteries for electric cars therefore, its high demand in
the world. “We must be clear that the mantles at the Latin
American level, particularly lithium, are being worked in
a unified way for their extraction with the corresponding
standards,” said the minister.
Regulatory framework. It is necessary for the govern-
ment to approve a specific regulation for lithium, which
completes and improves the current General Mining Law. If
a better regulatory framework is approved, it would attract
greater national and foreign investment for the exploration
and exploitation of lithium. This would generate employ-
ment and royalties. Peru could become an important pro-
ducer and exporter of lithium. It would benefit from the
growing global demand for this strategic mineral for batter-
ies and technology. However, it is key that lithium exploita-
tion is done in a sustainable manner, with environmental
protection, prior consultation with communities, and pro-
moting productive linkages.
The challenge will be to achieve a balance between eco-
nomic, social and environmental aspects. Proper regulation
would help achieve this goal.
The lithium boom in South America has brought with
it increases in socio-environmental conflicts. Chile has seen
an increase of 15–20% according to NGOs, with demands
for access to water, compensation and oversight. It is esti-
mated that Argentina started with low mining social con-
flict (5%) which with the incipient development of lithium
mining would have registered a moderate 10% increase,
currently reaching 15%. Bolivia does not yet commer-
cially exploit lithium, but a potential increase of 25–30% is
estimated due to its fragile social balances. Australia, with
established mining, has only seen a marginal 5% increase.
China, as an importer, sees more pollution from processing
than social conflicts. Chile and Bolivia are the most prone
to significant increases in social problems due to lithium,
needing proactive management. The average increase is
estimated at 15–20%.%.
Peru is at an early stage, with currently low social ten-
sions of 5–10%, but with projections of a 15–25% increase
with large-scale exploitation, which could be mitigated
with good social management practices.
DISCUSSION
The Technological Impact on the Lithium Economy
Within the Global Market
In the results of this work, the growth that coincides with
the research carried out by [20], [21], could be seen, a sales
percentage of 33% of electric vehicles, but, it has a varia-
tion in the results of the cited authors in which adds in
his research that sales of electric vehicles went from 450
thousand to 2.1 million (2015 to 2019), represented as a
percentage would be 28% of global vehicle sales and Melisa
indicates that the percentage in those same years is 30 %.
The onages produced by the countries mentioned in
the results of Table 1 coincide with the tons of produc-
tion in metric tons with the publication made by [22] and
[23]. But they have a variation with respect to the countries
Australia (55,000), Chile (26,000) and Argentina (6,200).
And the last author mentioned varies with the production
of China (14,000).
The Discovery of Puno’s White Gold
Different sources indicates that it is not possible to exploit
uranium and lithium, because they are found together,
there is a long and complicated road ahead, although there
are laws for this type of operation in Peru. But, according
Table 4. Lithium production phase in Puno
Phases Years
Approximations (tons per
year)
1 1–7 22,000
2 8–12 45,000
3 13–33 85,000
[1]
Figure 13. Social conflicts in Perú, Argentina, Chile and
Bolivia (Own source)