Lithium in Bolivia by Fabio Cuttica on Stern

50% of exploitable reserves of lithium are located in Bolivia, in the drained salt lakes (salar) among the Ande, in particular in the secluded Salar de Uyuni (in the South-Western of Bolivian upland), the hugest salt expanse in the world, set at 3,650 metres of altitude. An high environmental protection area, considered one of the most important tourist attractions in the world, but also one of the poorest and isolated of the country. President Mr. Evo Morales has launched a plan for the extraction of lithium, that is a soft alkali metal found in rocks and sea water. Lithium carbonate is used in batteries of laptop computers and mobile phones because it allows more energy to be stored in a lighter, smaller space than most alternatives.  Also the auto industry is beginning to look to lithium batteries to power new models of hybrid cars. The reportage shot by Fabio Cuttica has been published on Stern.