SERNAGEOMIN · Salars and lithium
Salars
The saline systems SERNAGEOMIN mapped in 2023, with the destination it states for each (protection, extraction by ENAMI or Codelco), the lithium measured in each salar's brines and SERNAGEOMIN's compilation of lithium resources and reserves.
Saline systems
71
Salars and saline lagoons mapped by SERNAGEOMIN in 2023.
Protection
24
Fully or partly protected, per SERNAGEOMIN (count of the table).
Extraction
7
Assigned to extraction by ENAMI or Codelco (count of the table).
No destination stated
40
The layer states no destination (count of the table).
Saline systems and their destination
Each system with the destination SERNAGEOMIN prints, its area, elevation and setting.
| System | Destination | Region | Area (ha) | Elevation | Setting | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagunas CotacotaniLS-01 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Arica y Parinacota | 806 | 4,534 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Lago ChungaráLS-02 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Arica y Parinacota | 2,344 | 4,552 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna LagunillaLS-03 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Tarapacá | 565 | 4,018 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna HeladaLS-04 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 790 | 4,300 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna TrincheraLS-05 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 43 | 4,265 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna Chivato MuertoLS-06 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 6 | 4,285 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna LejíaLS-07 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 246 | 4,326 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna MiscantiLS-08 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 1,378 | 4,140 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna MiñiquesLS-09 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 156 | 4,134 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna TuyajtoLS-10 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 585 | 4,036 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna de La AzufreraLS-11 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Antofagasta | 863 | 4,236 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Lagunas de Las Parinas y RedondaLS-12 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Atacama | 28 | 4,291 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Lagunas BravasLS-13 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Atacama | 1,054 | 4,221 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Lagunas de JilgueroLS-14 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Atacama | 355 | 4,178 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna del Bayo o WheelrightLS-15 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Atacama | 122 | 4,227 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna EscondidaLS-16 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Atacama | 401 | 4,356 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna VerdeLS-17 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Atacama | 2,040 | 4,329 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna del Negro FranciscoLS-18 · Lago o Laguna | Protección | Atacama | 2,541 | 4,130 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna HediondaLS-19 · Lago o Laguna | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 85 | 4,534 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Laguna BlancaS-01 · Salar | No destination stated | Arica y Parinacota | 439 | 4,244 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de SurireS-02 · Salar | No destination stated | Arica y Parinacota | 13,018 | 4,257 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Cototos - NorteS-03 · Salar | No destination stated | Arica y Parinacota | 2,230 | 819 m | Costero | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de HuascoS-04 · Salar | Protegido 100% | Tarapacá | 5,228 | 3,782 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Bellavista - PintadosS-05 · Salar | Protegido 70% | Tarapacá | 88,405 | 977 m | Costero | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de CoposaS-06 · Salar | No destination stated | Tarapacá | 8,685 | 3,737 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de MichinchaS-07 · Salar | No destination stated | Tarapacá | 291 | 4,119 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Cototos - SurS-08 · Salar | No destination stated | Arica y Parinacota | 392 | 1,007 m | Costero | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar GrandeS-09 · Salar | No destination stated | Tarapacá | 26,390 | 691 m | Costero | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de LlamaraS-10 · Salar | No destination stated | Tarapacá | 13,424 | 757 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de AlconchaS-11 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 380 | 4,106 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de OllagüeS-12 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 2,178 | 3,697 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Carcote ó San MartínS-13 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 11,054 | 3,692 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de AscotanS-14 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 24,247 | 3,724 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de TaraS-16 · Salar | Protegido 100% | Antofagasta | 6,154 | 4,317 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Aguas Calientes Norte o 1S-17 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 1,570 | 4,220 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de PujsaS-19 · Salar | Protegido 70% | Antofagasta | 1,669 | 4,508 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Loyoques ó QuisquiroS-20 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 8,064 | 4,187 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Aguas Calientes Centro 2 o PiliS-21 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 12,967 | 4,201 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar ElviraS-22 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 2,020 | 2,389 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar Los Morros-JaspeadoS-23 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 5,952 | 2,210 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar El LacoS-24 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 1,611 | 4,234 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de AtacamaS-25 · Salar | Extracción Codelco | Antofagasta | 341,760 | 2,313 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Capur o TalarS-26 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 2,626 | 3,924 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur 3 o Purisunchi TalarS-27 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 4,504 | 3,933 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Imilac - OesteS-28 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 721 | 2,957 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Punta NegraS-29 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 24,250 | 2,952 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur Sur o 4S-30 · Salar | Protegido Parcialmente | Antofagasta | 1,922 | 3,668 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de PajonalesS-31 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 10,310 | 3,535 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de GorbeaS-32 · Salar | No destination stated | Atacama | 2,908 | 3,945 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de La AzufreraS-33 · Salar | No destination stated | Atacama | 280 | 3,579 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar IgnoradoS-34 · Salar | No destination stated | Atacama | 76 | 4,226 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Agua AmargaS-35 · Salar | No destination stated | Atacama | 2,321 | 3,560 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de La IslaS-36 · Salar | Extracción Enami | Atacama | 15,833 | 3,956 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de AguilarS-37 · Salar | Extracción Enami | Atacama | 7,981 | 3,321 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de las ParinasS-38 · Salar | Extracción Enami | Atacama | 4,129 | 3,967 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de los InfielesS-39 · Salar | Extracción Enami | Atacama | 680 | 3,523 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar GrandeS-40 · Salar | Extracción Enami | Atacama | 3,198 | 3,970 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de La LagunaS-41 · Salar | Extracción Enami | Atacama | 218 | 3,500 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de PedernalesS-42 · Salar | Àrea Protegida Codelco | Atacama | 32,771 | 3,358 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Piedra ParadaS-43 · Salar | No destination stated | Atacama | 2,852 | 4,128 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Eulogio o WheelwrightS-44 · Salar | No destination stated | Atacama | 717 | 4,223 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de MaricungaS-45 · Salar | No destination stated | Atacama | 14,403 | 3,752 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de CoipasaS-46 · Salar | No destination stated | Tarapacá | 9,858 | 3,671 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de RudolphS-47 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 303 | 2,471 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar 3 - Salar SalobreS-48 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 346 | 2,636 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de PúlarS-49 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 1,712 | 3,572 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de IncahuasiS-50 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 1,969 | 3,467 m | Andino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar 2 - Salar MariposaS-51 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 455 | 2,833 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salares Navidad y Mar MuertoS-52 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 179 | 2,272 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar 1 - Salar VerónicaS-53 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 3,000 | 2,361 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de Imilac - EsteS-54 · Salar | No destination stated | Antofagasta | 3,664 | 2,986 m | PreAndino | SERNAGEOMIN |
Lithium in the brines
Per salar, how many brine samples there are and the highest lithium measured (mg/L), as the laboratory reported it, with the sample and its date.
| Salar | Samples | Highest lithium (mg/L) | Sample | Sampling period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALAR DE LA ISLAS-36 | 3535 with lithium | 4,200 | INF-RT-005 · Apr 18, 2014 | Apr 7, 2013 – Apr 27, 2014 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE LAS PARINASS-38 | 3030 with lithium | 1,950 | RC-URM-04962 · Apr 1, 2019 | Apr 8, 2013 – Apr 1, 2019 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE AGUILARS-37 | 2929 with lithium | 700 | TAR-RT-001 · May 8, 2013 | Apr 14, 2013 – Apr 19, 2014 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE GORBEAS-32 | 99 with lithium | 500 | SA-07 · Jan 1, 2021 | Jan 1, 2021 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE TARAS-16 | 1212 with lithium | 440 | URM 03235 · Nov 1, 2018 | Jan 1, 2018 – Nov 1, 2018 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE LOYOQUES O QUISQUIROS-20 | 55 with lithium | 425 | LIS-RT-019 · Apr 20, 2014 | Apr 20, 2014 – Jan 1, 2018 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE PUJSAS-19 | 1010 with lithium | 400 | ULP-02 · Jan 1, 2018 | Apr 11, 2013 – Jan 1, 2018 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE GRANDE | 88 with lithium | 251 | LAC-RT-003 · May 14, 2013 | May 14, 2013 – Jan 1, 2021 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE INFIELES | 99 with lithium | 200 | GOR-RT-001 · Apr 12, 2013 | Apr 12, 2013 – Apr 23, 2014 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE LAGUNA DE LAS PARINAS Y REDONDAS | 33 with lithium | 175 | URM 03247 · Nov 1, 2018 | Nov 1, 2018 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE AGUA AMARGAS-35 | 1414 with lithium | 150 | AAM-RT-009 · Apr 22, 2014 | Apr 9, 2013 – Apr 23, 2014 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE AGUAS CALIENTES NORTE | 77 with lithium | 130 | ACS-RT-011 · Apr 26, 2014 | Apr 6, 2013 – Apr 26, 2014 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE PAJONALESS-31 | 3939 with lithium | 62 | USL-09 · Jan 1, 2018 | Apr 7, 2013 – Nov 1, 2018 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE AGUAS CALIENTES CENTRO | 55 with lithium | 45 | ACS-RT-003 · Apr 5, 2013 | Apr 5, 2013 – May 10, 2013 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE EL LACO | 55 with lithium | 40 | SA-01 · Jan 1, 2021 | Jan 1, 2021 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE LA AZUFRERAS-33 | 11 with lithium | 37 | GOR-RT-009 · Apr 23, 2014 | Apr 23, 2014 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE AGUAS CALIENTES SUR-SUR | 1111 with lithium | 35 | ACC-RT-004 · May 13, 2013 | May 10, 2013 – May 13, 2013 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE AGUAS CALIENTES-TALAR | 88 with lithium | 17.5 | ACT-RT-001 · May 15, 2013 | May 15, 2013 – May 16, 2013 | SERNAGEOMIN |
| SALAR DE LAGUNA DE LA AZUFRERA | 33 with lithium | 15 | LIS-RT-003 · Apr 13, 2013 | Apr 13, 2013 | SERNAGEOMIN |
Brine samples of the salars of Tarapacá, Antofagasta and Atacama on SERNAGEOMIN's platform. The highest value is neither an average nor a grade of the salar.
Lithium resources and reserves (SERNAGEOMIN compilation)
The lithium figures SERNAGEOMIN compiled from company reports and geological publications, with the reference it cites. This is its compilation, not a figure the companies reported to Veta IQ.
| Deposit | Category | Quantity | Status and reference | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salar de AtacamaAntofagasta · San Pedro de Atacama | Resource | 13,320,030 t | Mina en producciónReference | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de AtacamaAntofagasta · San Pedro de Atacama | Reserve | 1,459,660 t | Mina en producciónReference | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de MaricungaAtacama · Copiapó | Resource | 360,234 t | Prospecto/ProyectoReference | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna VerdeAtacama · Copiapó | Resource | 338,000 t | Prospecto/ProyectoReference | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Laguna Negro FranciscoAtacama · Tierra Amarilla | Resource | 173,000 t | Prospecto/ProyectoReference | SERNAGEOMIN |
| Salar de MaricungaAtacama · Copiapó | Reserve | 89,792 t | Prospecto/ProyectoReference | SERNAGEOMIN |
The layer states no unit; SERNAGEOMIN's platform charts the figures as tonnes. Never added to the resources and reserves each company reports.
Source: SERNAGEOMIN, Public Salars and Lithium Platform. The 2023 layer states it is referential (scale 1:10,000 or smaller). Brine samples are never averaged: the one with the most lithium of each salar is shown with its own citation.