Chemetall’s Salar de Atacama plant in Chile employs 90 people who run a solar ponds evaporation system in order to produce lithium salts. Plant operations started in the early 1980s and, throughout the years, this site has marked several safety achievements, including the four-year milestone.

The site also contains a potassium chloride plant. It is located on El Salar surface at 7,545 feet/2300 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Andes range. The location is 168 miles/270 kilometers from Antofagasta, the largest city in northern Chile. The plant is the most important raw materials source for Chemetall’s global lithium business.

About 75% of the employees come from the town of Peine (350 inhabitants), one of several oases located on the eastern margin of El Salar.

Besides safety, the employees at the Chile plant also are concerned for the environment and social responsibility. With regard to the latter, the Salar de Atacama plant holds an outstanding position through its excellent relationship with the people of a small, very remote community located in one of the driest deserts on earth.

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