The National Institute for Lithium and Salars (INLiSa) presented at the 9th International Lithium Forum, held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Santiago, a strategic vision aimed at transforming Chile’s lithium industry toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and knowledge-based model.
A new approach to lithium governance
During the presentation titled “Bridging science, industry, and communities in the new era of lithium,” INLiSa’s Executive Director, Hernán Cáceres, emphasized that the institution was created to break away from traditional extractivist logic and move toward a governance model that integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
“Our goal is to generate, apply, and share knowledge for the sustainable development of lithium, and for the sustainable management of the environmental and social value of the salars,” said Cáceres.
INLiSa, created within the framework of Chile’s National Lithium Strategy, positions itself as a key actor in the global energy transition, with strategic offices in Antofagasta and Atacama. Its mission is to connect science, industry, and communities, promoting a balanced development of the salars and ensuring that Chile maintains responsible leadership in the production of critical minerals.
The forum: a space for innovation and sustainabilityEl foro: un espacio para la innovación y la sostenibilidad
The 2025 International Lithium Forum brought together more than 400 participants and 25 international experts, addressing topics such as direct lithium extraction (DLE), water sustainability, governance, and global market outlooks. Under the theme “The future of lithium: keys to efficient and sustainable expansion,” the event established itself as the main space for dialogue among authorities, companies, communities, and research centers.
Next steps for INLiSa
Among the announcements made by the Institute were:
- Consolidation of a specialized technical team.
- Participatory processes with Indigenous peoples and local communities.
- Design of a roadmap with national and international collaborations to drive innovation and technology transfer.
Commitment to developing technological capacities in the territory.
INLiSa’s proposal emphasizes strengthening technological capacities at the local level, promoting the generation, application, and transfer of knowledge in the regions where the salars are located. In this way, Chile positions itself as a leader in the integration of science, technology, and sustainability, promoting talent development and innovative solutions with direct relevance to the territories.
