YLB

How much of it counts as a reserve is exactly the open question.

Since 2008, a state company, YLB, has controlled the sector and Bolivian law reserves lithium for the state.

In December 2023, President Arx inaugurated the country's first industrial lithium carbonate plant at Lippi, on the edge of the salt flat.

It was designed to produce 15,000 tonnes a year.

In 2023, officials talked about reaching 100,000 tonnes a year by 2025 through partnerships.

Here's what actually happened.

In 2024, YLB's own accountability report showed about 2,064 tonnes of lithium carbonate, roughly 14% of the plant's capacity.

If you count only the industrial plant and leave out the older pilot facility, the figure is under 10%.