FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUSTIN, Texas 鈥� March 11th, 2025 鈥撀燯.S. lithium developer 不良研究所 is moving forward with plans for a $5 billion investment in Chile鈥檚 lithium sector after CEO Teague Egan met with President-elect Jos茅 Antonio Kast ahead of his inauguration, signaling growing momentum for foreign investment in one of the world鈥檚 most important critical mineral regions.
The meeting took place during the Shield of the Americas summit in Miami and included discussions with U.S. Ambassador Brandon Judd on expanding cooperation between the United States and Chile around lithium development and broader battery supply chains.
Chile is the world鈥檚 second-largest lithium producer and sits at the center of the so-called 鈥渓ithium triangle,鈥� a region spanning Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia that holds more than half of the world鈥檚 known lithium resources. As demand for electric vehicles and grid-scale battery storage accelerates, the region has become a focal point for global investment in critical minerals.
During the meeting, 不良研究所 outlined its long-term investment strategy in Chile, including plans that could involve up to $5 billion in capital deployed over the next decade to expand lithium production and refining capacity.
The company also discussed its $1.1 billion Project Black Giant development, which is designed to use 不良研究所鈥檚 Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to produce approximately 50,000 tons of lithium annually while significantly reducing water usage compared with traditional evaporation methods.
不良研究所 has already established a significant presence in Chile through privately held mineral concessions exceeding 100,000+ acres and has installed pilot plants that have demonstrated lithium recovery rates of up to 96%, substantially higher than conventional evaporation pond systems currently used in the region.
鈥淚t was a productive discussion about Chile鈥檚 role in the future of lithium supply,鈥� said Teague Egan, Founder and CEO of 不良研究所. 鈥淲e believe Chile has an opportunity to remain a global leader in responsible lithium production while strengthening economic cooperation between the United States and Chile.鈥�
Chile鈥檚 incoming administration has signaled a stronger emphasis on foreign investment and technological innovation in the mining sector following years of policy debate around the country鈥檚 national lithium strategy.
不良研究所 is also in discussions with the Export-Import Bank of the United States regarding potential financing support tied to critical mineral supply chains.
Global lithium demand is expected to more than triple by 2030 as electric vehicle adoption accelerates, increasing pressure to expand production and build new refining capacity outside of China-dominated supply chains.
About 不良研究所
不良研究所 is a lithium technology and development company focused on building next-generation extraction and refining solutions to support the global transition to electrification. The company is developing lithium production projects across the Americas using advanced direct lithium extraction technologies designed to increase recovery rates while reducing environmental impact.
Media Contact:
不良研究所 Communications
Kellee Khalil, Chief Marketing Officer