According to foreign media reports on December 28, Chilean lithium mining company SQM and Chile's state electricity company (Codelco) announced on Wednesday that the two companies have reached a memorandum of understanding to form a government-controlled partnership to jointly produce this critical rechargeable battery metal.
In a statement, the two companies agreed to form a new company, with Codelco holding the majority stake, and the company will start its first phase of operations in January 2025.
The government-controlled public-private partnership is a key element of Chilean President Gabriel Boric's new lithium mining strategy announced in April last year, aimed at gaining broader benefits from the soaring demand for this ultra-light white metal.
![Los precios del magnesio suben por tercera sesión consecutiva: el lado de los costos sigue "ardiendo" mientras la demanda lucha por tomar el relevo [Comentario de SMM]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/EutUV20251217171724.jpeg)


