Home GCC Chile says Saudi mining minister to visit, lithium expected on agenda Chile is the world’s second-largest producer of lithium by Reuters June 17, 2024 Image credit: Getty Images Chile’s government said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia’s mining minister will travel to the Latin American country in July and plans to meet with his counterpart in Santiago. Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef told Reuters in March the kingdom was interested in sourcing lithium abroad, as it aims to enter the electric vehicle sector. “He will indeed be in Chile (in July) and has asked for a meeting with the minister. But the date is not yet set,” the ministry said in an email to Reuters. A government source had told Reuters about the visit on Thursday, saying the two officials would discuss potential investments in lithium. Chile is the world’s second-largest producer of lithium, a key material for making the batteries that power electric vehicles. Read: Saudi Ma’aden has extracted lithium from seawater, CEO says Tags Chile lithium Mining Saudi Arabia You might also like Saudi-backed Almar Water seeks lithium partnership in Chile Kuwait’s KFH explores Saudi M&A deals in regional expansion drive Saudi Arabia’s construction output value to hit $181.5bn by 2028, Knight Frank says Spinneys expands regional footprint with new store in Riyadh