Volkswagen, Daimler, BASF and Fairphone have initiated a partnership for sustainable lithium mining in Chile. The "Responsible Lithium Partnership" aims to promote the responsible use of natural resources, including lithium, in Chile's Salar de Atacama. The four initiators have commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to coordinate the partnership and set up a so-called multi-stakeholder platform comprising all relevant actors in the Salar watershed – from civil society groups, including indigenous communities, to government institutions and mining companies. According to Volkswagen, the “Responsible Lithium Partnership” started in spring 2021 and has a planned duration of two and a half years.
Chile to get 40% of power from non-conventional renewable energy by 2030
Chile's head of energy and mining ministries announced that non-conventional renewable energy sources (NCRES) will account for 40% of its energy matrix by 2030. In the coming weeks, the government will submit to Congress a bill that seeks to double the national electric system's proportion of NCRES, from 20% to 40% by the end of 2030.
LATAM Airlines seeks extension of deadline for restructuring plan
LATAM Airlines Group said that it had sought to extend the deadline to present its restructuring plan as part of the bankruptcy protection process initiated in 2020 until September. LATAM filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States in May of last year, hammered by the world travel crisis generated by COVID-19. A judge had previously ordered the company deliver its restructuring plan by the end of June, and the company has said it hopes to wrap up the process in 2021.
Santander Chile returns to the Swiss market with a successful transaction of $167 mn
Santander Chile goes back to international markets and successfully issues CHF 150 million ($167 million) Senior Notes due in 2027, with a spread of 62 basis points above the Mid-Swap, which is equivalent to a coupon of 0.33%. The transaction was carried out with the advisory of Credit Suisse AG and Commerzbank AG. This signifies a return of the Bank to the international public debt market since January 2020 and is the first operation of Santander Chile in Switzerland since August 2019.
Shopee to launch in Chile and Colombia
Shopee, the e-commerce arm of Southeast Asia's Sea Ltd, will launch in Colombia and Chile. The company plans to offer online sales via its website and localised apps. Social media pages for Shopee Colombia and Shopee Chile said the company would offer free shipping in the countries.
World Bank increases growth projections for Chile to 6.1%
The World Bank raised its growth projections for Chile to 6.1% in its "World Economic Outlook" report for June 2021. The reason for the increase is that vaccines continue to be delivered at a robust pace and private consumption is boosted by the pension withdrawals allowed during the pandemic.
EIG Global launches LatAm’s first thermal solar project in Chile
EIG Global Energy Partners inaugurated Latin America's first thermal solar plant, a project in Chile's Atacama desert that the country hopes will smooth its path to a low-carbon future. The Cerro Dominador, a $1.4 billion project, will use technology allowing storage of the sun's heat to generate electricity for hours, including at night.
Chilean Metals Acquires Golden Ivan Property
Chilean Metals Inc. (CMX) announced that it has agreed to acquire 100% of the Golden Ivan property from Granby Gold Inc. via a payment of 6,500,000 shares of CMX. The Golden Ivan property consists of 13 mineral claims, all in good standing, for a total area of approximately 797 hectares.
BHP Spence copper mine workers in Chile to extend talks until Thursday
Workers at BHP Group's Spence copper mine in Chile will extend negotiations with the company for a few more days to try to reach agreement on a new contract and avoid a strike at the operation. The union representing 1,100 workers at the mine in Chile's northern Atacama Desert said it hoped to reach an agreement by the end of Thursday.
Chile extends economic aid to families to September
President Piñera approved a law to give families the economic aid to alleviate the impact of the pandemic until September. This will reach 100% of those registered in the Social Registry of Households (RSH) and will benefit 15.1 million people. A one-person household will be paid $177,000, a 3-person household will receive $400,000 and a 4-person household will get $500,000. This is from June to August. In September, beneficiaries will receive 50% of the amount.
