IAEA and Chile’s agreement on lithium mining
An agreement on harnessing nuclear technology for lithium mining has been signed by the IAEA and Chile.
Left to right: General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Luis Felipe Ramos and Luis Huerta. The agreement was signed by Luis Huerta of the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) and witnessed by Chile’s Energy Undersecretary Luis Felipe Ramos.
© IAEAIAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi signed an agreement related to lithium mining with Luis Huerta of the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN), witnessed by Chile’s Energy Undersecretary Luis Felipe Ramos.
The IAEA says the agreement paves the way for wider regional support from the IAEA. Agreements were also signed to tackle plastic pollution in Antarctica.
During the visit to Chile, Grossi also met with Health Minister Ximena Aguilera Sanhueza and discussed expanding cancer care through training and nuclear medicine as part of the IAEA’s flagship Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative.
Rays of Hope aims to close the global gap in cancer care by expanding access to treatments such as radiotherapy where the need is greatest.
Grossi says, ‘Nuclear science boosts Chile’s development in areas like health, food, security and environment. I look forward to furthering our collaboration.’
Chile will host the next International Conference on Effective Nuclear and Radiation Regulatory Systems in January 2026, the first in Latin America.
