Russia loses ground in South America’s "lithium triangle"

Russia is losing access to key lithium resources in South America’s so-called “lithium triangle,” as cooperation with Argentina, Bolivia and Chile — which together account for around 54% of global reserves — declines.

Projects involving Russian participation have stalled or been curtailed across the region. Uranium One, a subsidiary of state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has lost its stake in the Tolillar lithium project in Argentina. In Bolivia, newly installed authorities have frozen an agreement covering the construction of a lithium plant at the Uyuni salt flats, as per Russian media reports.

In Chile, Russian proposals to supply advanced extraction technologies have not gained traction, with local authorities showing little interest in pursuing such cooperation.

The setbacks come as Russia faces growing international isolation, prompting a shift toward domestic resource development. Moscow is accelerating efforts to bring its own lithium deposits in Siberia and northern regions online, with plans to reach full production capacity by 2030.

Lithium is a critical input for batteries, electric vehicles and a wide range of high-technology applications. Reduced access to South American reserves could complicate Russia’s long-term ambitions to expand its green energy sector and secure technological sovereignty.

“It concerns both the volatility of prices for this material and, accordingly, the profitability of the enormous investments that were made earlier, as well as alternatives, including sodium batteries with a practically inexhaustible raw material base,” said Vladimir Belinsky, Russia’s ambassador to Chile.

By Tamilla Hasanova