Japan is poised to offer technical assistance to Bolivia as it bids to develop its lithium resources and ensure a stable supply of the metal.
According to reports in the Nikkei, supplies of lithium are expected to become increasingly scarce in Japan from around 2015 as more people start to drive electric cars powered by lithium-ion batteries.
At the moment Bolivia has the world’s largest lithium reserves and the Japanese government is hoping to work with its Bolivian counterparts at a pilot plant in the south west of the country.
Officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are expected to visit Bolivia early this week to make the aid proposal and are it is suggested they will offer financial assistance and the dispatch of technical experts.
