Salar de Uyuni, "Saudi Arabia of lithium"

Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat and the world's largest supply of lithium. Located in southwest Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is being called a potential "Saudi Arabia of lithium." Lithium is the alkali metal used in lithium-ion batteries which is the main source for energy used in electric vehicles. The potential usage for lithium is predicted to double in a decade. These predictions have been the subject to much attention towards the Salar de Uyuni salt flats by foreign countries looking for negotiations.

President Evo Morales compared the pillaging of his country's resources to the way Spanish conquistadors once carried off silver from its mines. The President reassured there will be no pillaging. Other than being the president of Bolivia, more importantly Morales is the first president of Bolivia from indigenous descent. President Morales is of indigenous Aymara descent and born in the highlands of Ornioca, Oruro. The President is also the leader of the political parties called the Movement for Socialism and Bolivia's Cocalero movement. The Cocalero movement opposes the U.S. government's efforts to eradicate coca in the province of Chapare in central Bolivia.

Regardless of the voluminous attention being drawn to the salt flats, Bolivia is just now beginning to profit and drill through the flats.

-I’m interested to see the political outcome of negations or lack of in the next five years for lithium. I can predict a fairly negative one with Slar de Uyuni salt flat given the name "Saudi Arabia of lithium". I think its fare to say that this name holds negative connotations in U.S. and I’m sure it was not given to Bolivia with a positive advancement in mind by foreign countries. Let's be honest, regardless of the source of energy being other then petroleum there’s always a stench of money that conceals the vicinity in a state of euphoria. So to all my future electro car owners, strap your belts and enjoy the "roar less" rides of our eco-friendly vehicles but, like all beasts that are tamed there comes a time where nature takes it's course.

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