Mexico, Buenos Aires Sign Agreement on Lithium Cooperation

The Buenos Aires government signed a cooperation agreement with Mexican authorities to promote collaboration between researchers from both countries on lithium value chain technology. The Mexican government stated that the agreement aims to accelerate lithium extraction by leveraging international expertise, while also emphasizing Mexico’s development of its own technology to extract the mineral from clay deposits.

As part of his visit to Mexico, Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof signed a cooperation agreement between the Scientific Research Commission (CIC) of Buenos Aires province and Mexico’s state-owned company Litio para México (LitioMx). The agreement aims to promote collaboration between researchers from both regions in lithium development and its value chain.

The agreement signing took place alongside René Orellana, Regional Manager for Mexico and Central America, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean’s (CAF); Pablo Taddei, Director General, LitioMx; and Diana Ruiz, Head Mining Division, LitioMx. 

According to the Government of Buenos Aires, this marks the CIC’s first agreement with external financing. The commission is conducting research focused on adding value to lithium in collaboration with the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and Universidad Nacional de La Plata, in areas such as renewable energy, electric mobility, and lithium-ion batteries. The province is also working on building a Renewable Energy Research Center at its Technology Campus, reports the local government. “Lithium is a strategic resource for Latin America, and with this agreement, we will protect it so that it does not become a business for speculators,” Kicillof stated on his X account. 

Kicillof and Buenos Aires Minister of Government Carlos Bianco met with Mexico's Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Marath Baruch, and Quiahuitl Chávez, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor Productivity. The meeting focused on comparing current labor and social policies in both countries and highlighted the need to strengthen collaboration between Mexico and Buenos Aires to continue expanding workers' rights.

During her morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum said this agreement focuses on learning how lithium is extracted in other countries. However, she emphasized that lithium in Mexico is present in different formations from other countries, which is being studied by the Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP) and the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (CONAHCYT). “We have a nation equipped with patents and technologies to achieve this. Mexico must manage the entire production chain, which is the core of the Sonora Plan, through LitioMex," she added.