A Cleaner Way to Mine: Chile’s Lithium Leap Takes Shape

Rio Tinto and ENAMI join forces in Chile to pioneer cleaner lithium extraction and reshape the global battery supply chain

31 Oct 2025

A new force is emerging in the global hunt for lithium. Mining giant Rio Tinto has signed a binding deal with Chile’s state-owned ENAMI to develop the Salares Altoandinos project in the Atacama region, marking one of the most ambitious clean-mining ventures yet.

Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will hold a 51 percent stake and invest up to 425 million dollars in stages, deploying its proprietary direct lithium extraction technology, known as DLE, to tap Chile’s vast salt flats.

This isn’t just another mining venture. For Chile, it’s a strategic shift away from evaporation ponds that consume land and water, and toward a model designed for speed, efficiency, and environmental care. By marrying Rio’s technical know-how with ENAMI’s national mandate, the partnership could unlock a major low-cost lithium source capable of feeding the world’s battery boom for decades.

Central to that ambition is DLE, a process that pulls lithium from brine using selective filters, drastically reducing both water use and surface disruption. Early production is slated for about 35,000 tonnes a year by 2032, with the potential to climb to 75,000 tonnes as the project scales.

For carmakers and energy firms, the implications are profound. A stable, transparent lithium supply from a politically secure country could ease one of the biggest bottlenecks in the clean-energy transition. Yet hurdles remain: scaling the new technology, managing local water rights, and maintaining community trust will test the project’s promise.

Still, the timing feels right. Across South America’s lithium triangle, technology, policy, and global demand are aligning fast. If the Rio Tinto and ENAMI venture succeeds, it could set a new standard for responsible lithium extraction and place Chile firmly at the center of the world’s electric future.