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Saudi Arabia sees lithium investment alternatives in Chile - Mining minister

Saudi Arabia's Manara Minerals is looking at opportunities to invest in lithium production in Chile, mining minister Bandar Alkhorayaf stated on Monday throughout a see to the South American country.

Manara, a joint endeavor between state-owned miner Ma'aden and the general public Mutual Fund (PIF), is examining the different choices, Alkhorayaf said in an interview.

Saudi Arabia is working to secure access to lithium and other minerals as part of its goal to turn itself into a center for battery and EV manufacturing as it intends to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

Alkhorayaf, the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, said Manara had interest in Chile, the world's. second-largest manufacturer of the battery metal.

I believe we can see something occurring with Manara on. the Chilean possessions here. It makes a lot of sense, he stated,. adding that he saw fantastic commitment from the Chilean. government to help protect financial investment.

He noted that he was not familiar with particular discussions. underway. Chile's state-run miner Codelco is presently looking for a. partner for a significant lithium task in the Maricunga salt flat,. and the federal government recently opened a variety of other lithium. deposits to personal investment.

Alkhorayaf took part in conferences on Monday with. Chile's mining ministry in which Codelco took part.

Alkhorayaf included that Saudi Arabia has an interest in. rapidly protecting supply of lithium, consisting of from Chile, as it. objectives to produce EV batteries locally.

We have a management that's extremely ambitious, he said. We are serious to source it now ... as soon as possible..

(source: Reuters)