Mining Minister Aurora Williams defended the autonomy of Nova Andino Litio's board in a recent interview, stressing that the government did not intervene in its selection despite potential political scrutiny. The board, recently appointed for the Codelco-SQM lithium joint venture in the Salar de Atacama, comprises technically qualified members chosen by the companies.
In an interview with Radio Infinita, Mining Minister Aurora Williams addressed concerns over the board composition of Nova Andino Litio, the joint venture formed last week by Codelco and SQM for lithium exploitation in Chile's Salar de Atacama until 2060.
Williams emphasized corporate independence: "The composition of the board... is one made by the associated companies, both Codelco and SQM." She noted she was unaware of the names until their public disclosure, as these are private corporate decisions.
The two-year board includes Codelco representatives Máximo Pacheco (president), Josefina Montenegro, and Alfredo Moreno, alongside SQM's Ricardo Ramos (vice president), Hernán Uribe, and Manuel Ovalle—details first reported last Saturday.
Responding to potential criticisms, Williams stated: "No one can dispute the technical characteristics of the 6 people... The six chosen: three by SQM and three by Codelco." This echoes Codelco's Máximo Pacheco's prior affirmations of the process's independence.
The defense comes amid the JV's finalization on December 27, following regulatory approvals, marking a pivotal step for Chile's lithium industry.
