Tianqi Considers Action to Protect Its Stake in Chilean Lithium Mining Firm

An aerial view of the processing plant of the lithium mine, in Del Carmen salt flat, in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile

China’s Tianqi Lithium Corp. (002466.SZ) is contesting a deal put forward by the Chilean government to enhance state control in key lithium assets.

Tianqi, the lithium producer which owns a 22% stake in Chilean lithium miner Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (SQM), said in a Monday filing that “it may consider action to protect its interests,” after SQM entered a definitive agreement that will give Chile’s state-owned copper giant Codelco a majority stake in its lithium assets.