Plizio Visual Lab

Salar de Atacama Lithium Plant

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Lithium Plant in Salar de Atacama is one of the world's most critical hubs for the production of this strategic mineral. Located in the heart of the world's driest desert, the operation employs vast evaporation ponds to concentrate lithium from underground brines. The site is primarily operated by companies such as SQM and Albemarle under state-granted concessions. The extracted lithium chloride is further processed at coastal facilities into lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, which are indispensable components for electric vehicle batteries. Given the extreme water scarcity of the region, the environmental sustainability of these operations, specifically their impact on local aquifers and indigenous communities, is a focal point of intense public and scientific debate. Chile holds a significant share of the world's lithium reserves, making this facility a cornerstone of the global green energy transition. Future technological advancements are shifting toward Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) to minimize evaporation time and reduce overall water consumption.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	17	17	17	15	12	11	10	12	13	15	16	17
Rain mm	3	4	2	1	2	0	1	1	0	0	1	2

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The lithium extraction facility at Salar de Atacama is one of the largest in the world, mining lithium from the salt crust. It plays a key role in global battery production and is economically vital for Chile.

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Visiting

The site is closed to the public for security and environmental reasons. From the nearby highway 23-CH, the evaporation ponds and white salt crust are visible.

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Where to view it

The best view of the facility is from the lookout on Ruta 23, located on a hill. From there, the geometric patterns of the ponds and the surrounding desert are visible.

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Local products

In the villages of the Atacama Desert, handicrafts made from salt and local minerals are sold. Lithium itself is not sold here, but salt crystals are a popular souvenir.

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Active season

Lithium production runs year-round, but evaporation is most efficient during the hot summer months (December-February). The ponds are then operating at full capacity.

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Nearby

Combine the visit with a trip to the nearby highland lagoons, like Laguna Chaxa with flamingos. The Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) near San Pedro de Atacama is also worth a visit.