President Sheinbaum stressed that the development of lithium and the production of electric vehicles are part of a broader effort to turn Mexico into a scientific and innovative powerhouse.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced this Thursday that one of the objectives of her government is to establish the entire lithium production chain in Mexico. This mineral is essential for the manufacture of batteries and is found mainly in the state of Sonora.
Lithium is a mineral used in the production of rechargeable batteries, which are essential for electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and, above all, electric vehicles.
With the increase in demand for clean and sustainable energy, lithium has become a strategic resource. As countries seek to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, lithium plays an important role in the transition to cleaner energy.
Sheinbaum explained that “lithium in our country has special characteristics.” In Mexico, lithium is not found in liquid form, as in other South American countries, but is mixed with clay. This fact presents both a challenge and an opportunity, as the extraction of lithium from clay requires specialized technology.
She explained that “clay is like mud, which when mixed with water expands and when it dries it turns into powder.” This uniqueness in the composition of Mexican lithium requires that specific methods be developed for its extraction and processing.
To address these challenges, the Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP) and the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (Conacyt) have been working on innovative technologies for lithium extraction.
The Sonora Plan is a federal government initiative that seeks to foster a model of economic growth in northern Mexico, taking advantage of the wealth of natural resources, such as lithium and copper.
This plan includes the generation of solar energy and is designed to boost the development of semiconductors and electromobility, which are areas of growing importance in the global economy.
Sheinbaum stressed that “the essence of the Sonora Plan is to have the entire production chain,” which means that the country will not only extract lithium but will also process it and manufacture derived products.
The creation of Olinia and the development of technology for lithium extraction have the potential to transform the automotive industry in Mexico.
Currently, the country is the seventh largest producer of combustion vehicles worldwide, but by manufacturing its own model, Mexico is expected to improve its competitiveness in the global electric vehicle market.
This initiative could not only generate jobs but also attract investment and technology to the country.
Source: El Imparcial
