Codelco and SQM launch Atacama lithium venture extending output to 2060
Short record: the main facts, with sources. A full case file has not been prepared.
Codelco and SQM launched a joint lithium company for the Atacama salt flat that extends production to 2060. Atacameño communities have questioned the plan over water, and 18 communities have complained that the salt flat is sinking.
- Codelco — joint-venture partner in NovaAndino Litio Mining Reporters
- SQM — joint-venture partner in NovaAndino Litio Mining Reporters
- Atacameño communities — council objected to water extraction until 2060 Cooperativa
- 18 indigenous communities — complained that the salt flat is sinking, which they linked to lithium extraction Mongabay Latam
What happened
Mining Reporters reported in December 2025 that Codelco and SQM launched the NovaAndino Litio joint venture, which extends production at the Atacama salt flat to 2060.
Cooperativa reported in December 2023 that the Atacameño Peoples' Council questioned the Codelco–SQM alliance, and the council has objected to water extraction until 2060.
El Desconcierto reported in April 2024 that Atacameño communities were withdrawing from dialogue with Codelco and SQM over fears of water scarcity.
Mongabay Latam reported in November 2024 that 18 indigenous communities had filed a complaint over the sinking of the salt flat, which they linked to lithium extraction.
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
Insurers
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Record
- None on record Reported without a source link: the 2017 US settlement over SQM payments to Chilean politicians, described as about USD 15 million paid irregularly and a penalty of more than USD 30 million.
- None on record Reported without a source link: a 2014 penalty on a former SQM controlling shareholder, a 2015 political funding crisis over SQM payments, and a 2018 Corfo lithium quota deal.
- Insufficient Reported but not verified: Atacama indigenous communities have sued over unauthorised water extraction.
- None on record Reported without a source link: the south-west of the salt flat sank 1 to 2 cm a year in 2020–2023, and groundwater fell more than 10 metres in 15 years (University of Chile).
- Insufficient Reported but not verified: the state holding 50% plus one share in the joint company, and the 27 December 2025 announcement date.
- None on record The Albemarle penalty and certification on the same salt flat concern another company and are not included here.
Did the harm stop?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Who paid?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Sources
Press and investigations
- Codelco, SQM launch lithium joint venture NovaAndino LitioMining Reporters · 2025-12
- Litio: consejo de pueblos atacameños cuestionó alianza Codelco-SQMCooperativa · 2023-12-28
- Fear of water scarcity: Indigenous groups withdraw from dialogue with Codelco and SQM over lithiumEl Desconcierto · 2024-04-18
- Indigenous communities file complaint over Atacama salt flat sinking linked to lithiumMongabay Latam · 2024-11
Connected cases
- Salar de Atacama lithium extraction Chile · 2019–2026
- Codelco (Company) — here: joint-venture partner; there: State copper company; majority partner in Nova Andino Litio
- SQM (Company) — here: joint-venture partner; there: Lithium operator in the Salar de Atacama; partner of Codelco
- NovaAndino Litio (Company) — here: joint-venture company; there: Codelco–SQM joint company, extraction to 2060
- Atacameño Peoples' Council (Association) — here: community council that objected; there: Council of Atacameño peoples; objected to extraction until 2060
- Chile's secret copper law sent 10% of export revenue to the armed forces Chile · 1958–2019
- Codelco (Company) — here: joint-venture partner; there: State copper company named in the matter