Chile held its first Chile’s Lithium Day in Berlin, an event that brought together authorities, industry, and German and European research institutions to strengthen cooperation around critical minerals and accelerate the energy transition. The event, organized by the Embassy of Chile in Germany and InvestChile, was part of the strengthening of Chile’s bilateral relationship with Europe in value-added development, technological progress, and lithium sustainability.
Representing the National Institute for Lithium and Salars (INLiSa), its Executive Director, Dr. Hernán Cáceres, presented the country’s strategic vision and the role the Institute will play in the new governance architecture for lithium in Chile. His presentation, titled “Lithium R&D Challenges and Gaps in Chile — The Role of the Chilean National Institute for Lithium and Salars,” emphasized Chile’s decisive shift from traditional mining toward a development model grounded in knowledge, innovation, and the protection of salars — the main ecosystem asset of northern Chile.
“We are shifting toward an approach where knowledge drives development. INLiSa was created to strengthen scientific and technological capabilities in Chile while enabling a more sustainable and globally competitive industry.” — Dr. Hernán Cáceres, Executive Director of INLiSa
We are moving toward an approach where knowledge drives development. INLiSa was created to strengthen scientific and technological capacities in Chile while enabling a more sustainable and globally competitive industry.” — Dr. Hernán Cáceres INLiSa will contribute unique capabilities across four key areas: salar research, technology development, social dynamics research, and citizen science.
European companies and institutions were also invited to participate in two of the strategic initiatives to be implemented in Chile:
- A pilot platform to test extraction, purification, and valorization processes with independent verification.
- A hydrogeological and data platform designed to improve traceability of salar dynamics and the management of critical information.
“International collaboration is not optional; it is essential for INLiSa to actively contribute to strengthening local technological capabilities in Chile.” — Dr. Hernán Cáceres
A clear message from Germany to the world
The event closed with a clear message: Chile seeks to consolidate itself not only as one of the world’s leading lithium producers, but also as a global benchmark in sustainable technologies and knowledge development.
INLiSa, with territorial presence in Antofagasta and Atacama, is positioned to play a strategic role: contributing to the development of solutions that enable a more transparent and efficient industry, aligned with local communities and the protection of salar ecosystems.
