Our operation is the heart of Chilean lithium, where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.
Current operation
Our operation in the Atacama Salt Flat
En Novandino LitioWe operate from two key points in northern Chile: the Atacama Salt Flat and the Carmen Lithium Chemical Plant, in the Salar del Carmen, near Antofagasta.
In the heart of the Atacama Salt Flat We captured lithium-rich brine through deep wells and we take it to evaporation ponds, where the desert sun naturally concentrates This resource. With 95,8% solar energyWe transform lithium while taking care of our territory and communities.
When the brine reaches the ideal concentration, it reaches the Carmen Lithium Chemical Plantwhere it becomes lithium carbonate and hydroxide of high purity. Thus, they are not only transformed into products that power rechargeable batteries, but also They project Chile's energy towards the world and towards a sustainable future.
How did the lithium that powers Chile originate?
1
We drilled wells in the Atacama Salt Flat to capture the brine, a liquid treasure that holds lithium and other minerals essential for the energy of the future.
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We took her to large ponds where It evaporates slowly with the help of the sun and the wind that naturally concentrate the minerals, transforming lithium with the power of nature.
3
As the salts separate, The lithium remains in liquid solution. to continue their journey towards purification, always taking care of our territory and the balance of the Salar.
The harvested salts are transported for the production of Potassium Chloride (KCl)
4
The lithium remains in the concentrated brine, which continues to evaporate. Then, through chemical purification processes (such as filtration, crystallization, and leaching) we separate the lithium from other impurities, turning it into a high-quality resource.
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Finally, the purified lithium is processed in chemical plants to convert it into high purity productsas the lithium carbonate and hydroxide, which promote batteries and technologies that are being developed in Chile clean energy towards the world.
Production with a view to the future
Our production capacity reaches up to 210 tons of lithium hydroxide equivalent (LCE) per year, positioning us among the largest and most technologically advanced operations in the world.
With the official authorization of Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) From July 2025, we projected our lithium production until 2060. This planning includes up to 3,02 million tons of lithium metal equivalent (LME) between 2031 and 2060, guaranteeing a safe and sustainable development that allows Chile to lead the global energy transition.
Committed to sustainable mining
Caring for the environment where we operate is an essential part of how we understand development. Novandino Litio we use 95,8% solar energy in the brine concentration processes in the Atacama Salt Flat, harnessing the natural power of the desert to reduce our carbon footprint and move towards cleaner mining.
In addition, we have a environmental monitoring system with more than 300 measurement points distributed from the heart of the operation to the areas near the Salar. This information is publicly available through our Online Monitoringallowing for transparent and ongoing monitoring of our impact on the territory.
Discover our electric fleet
We are driving the transition to cleaner operations with our electric fleet at the Carmen Lithium Chemical Plant. We have 11 Maxus ET90 electric pickup trucks with a range of 350 km and a charging time of 1,7 hours, along with a King Long 6130 Etech electric bus for 44 passengers, which travels 300 km with a recharge in 1,5 h, bringing our team closer to the heart of the operation in a safe and sustainable way.
With this installment, we have the largest and most diverse electric fleet in the national mining industryreducing emissions, optimizing transfers and improving the experience of those who make our operation possible.
In addition, we added heavy-duty electric trucks in pilot mode (like the Yutong), reinforcing our commitment to achieving the carbon neutrality in our operations by 2030.
Responsible Extraction Plan
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are implementing a concrete plan to ensure that lithium production becomes increasingly efficient and responsible with the use of natural resources. The Sustainability Plan This includes a progressive reduction in brine extraction and the use of continental waters, aligned with our goals for the care of the Atacama Salt Flat and the environment.
Track the daily environmental monitoring of our brine extraction through our Online Monitoring.