Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos Faces Challenges Due to Poor Construction and Maintenance of Lithium Pools
Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) has encountered significant operational issues with the lithium production pools at its Potosí complex, as revealed by company president Karla Calderón. The deterioration of these pools has adversely affected the production of lithium carbonate and potassium chloride.
Calderón attributed the degradation to three main factors: the use of substandard geomembranes, improper welding that led to cracks, and a lack of a planned maintenance regime. It was also noted that the pools were left empty and exposed to prolonged solar radiation because the pumping network was completed after the pools, exacerbating the damage over time.
The remediation of these pools will require substantial investment, the exact amount of which will be determined after a final assessment of the damage. Calderón emphasized the need for new geomembranes and a complete overhaul of the affected pools to restore their functionality.
In addition to these operational challenges, YLB and the State Attorney General's Office have initiated legal action against 11 former officials of the company. The lawsuit pertains to alleged mismanagement and misconduct that led to financial losses totaling more than Bs 425 million (approximately USD 59.5 million). The charges include contracts detrimental to the state, breach of duties, anti-economic conduct, and breach of contract.
An audit disclosed that the financial impact included Bs 212,991,000 (approximately USD 29.8 million) due to breach of contract and Bs 239,995,489 (approximately USD 33.6 million) in procedural damages. Furthermore, it was found that 18 out of the 160 industrial pools are currently inoperable, primarily due to the use of geomembranes that were thinner than required specifications and not suited for the intended use.
