Reuters, SANTIAGOGerman automakers Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG have launched a study to push for more “sustainable” lithium mining in Chile, lobbyist filings showed, a sign of growing supply chain concerns ahead of an expected electric vehicle boom. “The growing importance of batteries has made the sustainability of lithium a key priority for these companies.”Volkswagen confirmed in an e-mail that it had contracted the study. The goal of the meetings, the filings showed, is to develop a “joint action plan” and in time, “implement prioritized actions” to address the growing concerns about lithium mining in the region. Concerns about sustainability have emerged as a key vulnerability for Chile as a lithium mining hot spot. 1 producer of the white metal, mines its lithium from hard rock, not brine.

Source: Taipei Times February 12, 2020 15:56 UTC