Three individuals have been apprehended in the case of the lithium pools, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

 So far, three individuals have been apprehended in the investigation into the industrial evaporation pools of Bolivian Lithium Deposits (YLB), reported Cesar Siles, the Attorney General of the State, on Tuesday.

"Not only is Mr. Luis Arberto Echazú (former Minister of Mining and former national manager of Evaporitic Resources) apprehended, but three individuals have been apprehended so far in this investigation," he said.

On April 18, the executive president of YLB, Karla Calderón, filed a formal complaint with the Public Ministry for the alleged commission of crimes including damaging contracts to the state, breach of duties, uneconomic conduct, and breach of contracts due to an alleged economic damage of more than Bs 425 million.

The Prosecutor's Office decided to participate in this criminal process, according to Siles, due to the "serious economic damage to the state" and because they are "serious acts of corruption."

He pointed out that, in general terms, three incidents are being investigated: poorly elaborated or designed technical specifications, poorly executed supervision or oversight of contract execution, and the lack of maintenance on the 18 pools.

He added that a commission of three prosecutors is now investigating the case after a complaint with at least 4,020 attached pages was admitted.

He confirmed that there are 12 suspects in this investigative process and that arrest warrants have already been issued against all of them.

According to Siles, through requests made to the Immigration Department, it was established that "they all have significant and recent migratory flow," representing a flight risk, and furthermore, none of them, at least at this moment, has a stable or fixed job.

Another agreement signed with a Chinese consortium to exploit lithium, and Arce announces openness to more international companies

 Bolivian Lithium Deposits (YLB) signed a new agreement on Wednesday with the Chinese consortium CBC for the installation of a pilot plant in the Uyuni salt flat.

The pilot plant will use Direct Lithium Extraction technology, and initially, its capacity will be 2,500 tons per year, as stated by YLB's president, Karla Calderón.

She mentioned that the goal is to have a future plant with a capacity to produce 25,000 tons of lithium carbonate.

President Luis Arce acknowledged that the country was significantly behind in the lithium sector, which is why they are now hastening the industrialization process with "small but significant steps."

Bolivia has previously signed agreements with the same CBC from China, another Chinese company, and Russia's Uranium One for the development of the lithium industry.

However, the president announced that Bolivia is open to receiving more international companies. He mentioned that, even during official trips, there are expressions of interest to invest in cutting-edge technology for Bolivian lithium.

In this context, he informed that a new international call will be opened this January, emphasizing that Bolivia welcomes companies.

Arce clarified that international companies must accept Bolivia's requirements and its business model because the country intends to participate in the entire production chain, up to commercialization.