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General Energy
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General Market Commentary
Bolivia's lithium partnership with Germany's ACI Systems hits snag
LA PAZ (Reuters) - Bolivia’s partnership with privately owned German company ACI Systems for the industrial use of lithium hit a snag when the decree that created the deal was annulled, the governor of the lithium-rich Potosi region said on Sunday.
Potosi, in southwest Bolivia, has some of Bolivia’s richest lithium deposits. Its governor is Juan Carlos Cejas. Local groups have said the region should get more benefits from the deal.
Potosi authorities reported that the annulment decision was taken on Saturday by the cabinet of ministers of President Evo Morales.
“We have received Supreme Decree 4070 by which the repeal of Supreme Decree 3738 of Dec. 7, 2018 is being arranged,” Cejas said.
Not all the government’s reasons for its decision were immediately reported, beyond a slew of local protests that demanded a 3% to 11% increase in project royalties. The fate of the partnership remained unclear.