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Brine chemistry and water constraints complicate Lithium Triangle supply
The region holds about 64 million tonnes of identified lithium resources, but the review flags extraction hurdles tied to brine chemistry and water availability.
South America’s Lithium Triangle, home to roughly 43% of the world’s identified lithium resources, faces development challenges as variations in brine chemistry and water availability make it harder to translate geological reserves into new supply, according to a review highlighted by Mining.com.
The analysis, conducted by geologist José Cabello and published in September in Andean Geology, assessed 43 evaluated salt flats across Argentina, Bolivia and Chile using scientific studies, company disclosures and government reports to gauge lithium prospects.
Cabello’s compilation says the three countries collectively hold 64 million tonnes of identified lithium resources, compared with about 150 million tonnes globally based on US Geological Survey 2026 estimates, with Argentina at 28 million tonnes, Bolivia at 23 million and Chile at 13 million.
The outlet reports that the review’s main finding was extensive confirmation of the quality and quantity of lithium reserves in the Central Andean salt flats, with more than 16 million tonnes compiled across Argentina and Chile, while noting that the figures describe contained lithium rather than lithium carbonate equivalent.