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[[File:Salt production Uyuni.JPG|thumb|Salt production at the Salar|alt=]]
Located in the [[Lithium Triangle]], the Salar contains a large amount of [[sodium]], [[potassium]], [[lithium]] and [[magnesium]] (all in the chloride forms of [[Sodium chloride|NaCl]], [[Potassium chloride|KCl]], [[Lithium chloride|LiCl]] and [[Magnesium chloride|MgCl<sub>2</sub>]], respectively), as well as [[borax]].<ref name=trav1/>
|title=Lithium Statistics and Information|publisher=[[USGS]]}} ([https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/lithium-statistics-and-information other Lithium statistics from USGS])</ref>
Lithium is concentrated in the brine under the salt crust at a relatively high concentration of about 0.3%. It is also present in the top layers of the porous [[halite]] body lying under the brine; however, the liquid brine is easier to extract, by boring into the crust and pumping out the brine.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The brine distribution has been monitored by the [[Landsat program|Landsat]] satellite and confirmed in ground drilling tests. Following those findings, an American-based international corporation has invested $137 million to developing lithium extraction.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j0QrAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA60 |page=60 |title=Science and technology for development: prospects entering the twenty-first century : a symposium in commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the U.S. Agency for International Development |publisher=National Academies |year=1988 |author=National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Science and Technology for International Development, National Research Council (U.S.). Office of International Affairs|isbn=9780309320023 }}</ref> However, lithium extraction in the 1980s and 1990s by foreign companies met strong opposition from the local community. Locals believed that the money infused by mining would not reach them.<ref name="BBC_electric_car">{{cite news |title=Bolivia holds key to electric car future |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7707847.stm |website=[[BBC News|BBC]]|date=9 November 2008 }}</ref> The lithium in the salt flats contains more impurities, and the wet climate and high altitude make it harder to process.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eisler |first1=Matthew |title=Bolivian lithium: why you should not expect any 'white gold rush' in the wake of Morales overthrow |url=https://theconversation.com/bolivian-lithium-why-you-should-not-expect-any-white-gold-rush-in-the-wake-of-morales-overthrow-127139 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |date=15 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
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