Published: March 26, 2026 |

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Albemarle Corporation has submitted the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Transition to Direct Lithium Extraction (TED) Project, an initiative aimed at advancing efficient and sustainable lithium production in the Salar de Atacama in Chile.

Using direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, the project is designed to recover nearly twice as much lithium while reducing the amount of brine extracted compared to current operations, increasing process efficiency and contributing to a reduction in net pumping. Using gravity, the lithium-depleted brine is returned to the Salar de Atacama, preserving its hydrological and geochemical balance.

The project is expected to complement Albemarle’s current lithium production without requiring an increase in the authorized volumes of brine extraction, additional solar evaporation ponds or new extraction areas.

Pending the successful completion of the permitting process and a final investment decision, the modular plant design allows for phased development of the project, accommodating up to six production lines.

“In the 45 years we have operated in Chile, we have undertaken a continuous journey of innovation to address the evolving needs of our industry.  Today, we advance that journey with a project rooted in more than a decade of research and designed to reduce net brine extraction and increase process efficiency,” said Sebastián Carmona, vice president  and regional leader for Latin America at Albemarle.

Following more than ten years of development, Albemarle recently completed testing of the DLE technology at its pilot plant located at the company’s La Negra facility in Chile. The plant has operated for more than a year, achieving lithium recovery rates above 94 percent. This experience allowed testing and optimizing the process under operational conditions, before its large-scale implementation.

Prior to the project’s submission, an Early Citizen Participation (ECP) process was carried out to share the project details with nearby communities and gather their feedback, reaffirming the company’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and ongoing dialogue with communities. In this context, 18 meetings, four student talks, 14 open houses, and nine visits to the pilot plant were carried out, reaching more than 1,250 people.

The project will be in the municipality of San Pedro de Atacama, in the Antofagasta Region, approximately 31 kilometers from the town of Peine, and includes two locations. 

The first is the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Plant, located in the eastern sector of the Salar’s core, within Albemarle’s mining concession area. The plant features a modular design consisting of up to six production lines, each capable of processing approximately 50 liters per second of brine. This design allows for the gradual implementation of the technology, operational adjustments based on monitoring results, and, if necessary, the suspension of phases without compromising base operations.

In total, the plant is designed to occupy approximately 73 hectares, a considerably smaller footprint compared to the existing evaporation ponds, and includes two main areas: a civic zone, housing offices, dining facilities, and service spaces, and an industrial zone.

The project also includes the implementation of a real-time monitoring system for flows, levels, and water chemistry, together with an Early Warning Plan (EWP) associated with brine reincorporation, with the participation of communities, universities, and independent consulting firms. Albemarle has been implementing a participatory monitoring model for several years under its current environmental permit, which invites communities to participate as on-site observers and access monitoring results directly. The TED Project is expected to strengthen this model by integrating complementary monitoring systems with access to information, full traceability, and external verification, ensuring that all stakeholders can see and understand what is happening in the Salar.

Pending the successful completion of the permitting process and a final investment decision, the modular plant design allows for phased development that would begin with the first production line of the DLE Plant and the electrical transmission line.

The project is expected to generate, on average, 350 jobs during the construction phase and up to 450 permanent positions if all six production lines are fully operational.

Albemarle leads the world in transforming essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health. They partner to pioneer new ways to move, power, connect, and protect with people and planet in mind. A reliable and high-quality global supply of lithium and bromine allows them to deliver advanced solutions for customers.

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