jan 1, 1979 - Pinochet declared lithium reserves to be under government control
Description:
It was not until the 1970s, however, when lithium was deemed useful for nuclear technology, that investors and the Chilean government decided to seize the opportunity.The government, led by strongman Augusto Pinochet, declared the lithium reserves to be under its control in 1979. It then partnered with a U.S. company, Foote Mineral, to extract and sell the mineral. Foote had the technology — developed at its plant in Silver Peak, Nev. — for converting lithium brine into useful forms.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1979
Now
~ 47 years ago