International Battery Metals Ltd (IBATF)

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Daniel Weinstein
Legal Strategist in Mining, Project Development, and related Corporate matters | Partner at Urzua Abogados I Advisory Council, Ministry of Mining

The Government of Chile has announced key updates on the National Lithium Strategy during a recent press conference:

1. Strategic Salt Flats: Atacama and Maricunga will be majorly controlled by the State (50+1% ).

2. Mixed Development: The Alto Andinos and Pedernales salt flats will be co-developed by state entities and private companies, without requiring a state majority.

3. Private Initiative: 26 salt flats will be available for exclusively private development, with the option to partner with the State as a minority shareholder.

4. Protected Salt Flats: 38 protected salt flats will be identified. Some areas within these may be exploited (hence the salt flats total 68 and not 63, which is the "official" number of saline environments).

Companies interested should express their interest in the RFI to be issued in April, with results expected by July.

Although more written information is yet to be provided, the press conference leaves many questions unanswered, such as the identification of protected salt flats and the terms for private exploitation, especially in relation to existing mining concessions.

As written information is released by the Government on what was presented at the press conference, some issues may be clarified, but many others will remain open.