The province of carabayain the Puno region, has 4.7 million tons of high purity lithium carbonate, and 130 million pounds of uranium for nuclear power plants.
Between the two minerals, the one that is in the eye of the aimaras is the lithium. This mineral is in demand worldwide for the manufacture of batteries for smartphones and electric cars. But, it is also a resource of geopolitical interest because it would displace Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. These three countries form the triangle of lithium production in Latin America.
The Aymara and Quechua populations determined that lithium will not leave Puno if there is no direct benefit for the 110 districts and 13 provinces. The request is independent of the canon and income tax that it may generate. In addition, they demand that their industrialization be developed in Puno.
The Republic He looked for the version of Ulises Solís, general manager of Macusani Yellowcake. This firm has the lithium and uranium concession in the province of Carabaya.
Solís said that the disclosed reserves could be higher. He explained that currently They are developing the semi-detailed environmental impact study. This document will serve to know the “proven reserves”, which could be greater than those known up to now. There is no exploitation authorization yet.
Asked about the position of the Quechua and Aymara populations, Ulises Solís maintained that “everyone can want a benefit, but unfortunately the law indicates a direct and an indirect area of influence. And that is what is respected. What would have happened if the deposit was on key. So who benefits, the aimara areas. The Quechuas would not have to do there. Unfortunately, that is the fate of the country,” he said.
The businessman specified that they will limit themselves to complying with what the law stipulates, regarding the requirement to exploit lithium. “We are going to respect what the law mandates, the Constitution, the general mining law. As long as it is not modified, we will have nothing more than to stick to what the legal regulations say”.
Ulises Solís, specified that the decision made by the aimaras does not necessarily have to abide by. “Because they have agreed to something, we don’t have to respect it. So let them rule the country. (…) If they agree that the benefit be for the 110 districts, whatever they want to call it, there must be a law. (…) ”, He specified.
For his part, Rubén Apaza, an Aymara leader, assured that the resource must benefit all Peruvians regardless of the canon and another. He considered that the case has to be brought to a great debate.
concessions. Macusani Yellowcake, through various legal entities, has 167 mining concessions along 92,000 km2 of land. The verified area where there are archaeological remains represents approximately 30% of the total concession.
Source: Larepublica
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