SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s authorities mentioned on Saturday that Saudi Arabia’s mining minister will journey to the Latin American nation in July and plans to satisfy together with his counterpart in Santiago.

Saudi Minister of Trade and Mineral Sources Bandar Alkhorayef instructed Reuters in March the dominion was curious about sourcing lithium overseas, because it goals to enter the electrical automobile sector.

“He will indeed be in Chile (in July) and has asked for a meeting with the minister. But the date is not yet set,” the ministry mentioned in an e-mail to Reuters.

A authorities supply had instructed Reuters in regards to the go to on Thursday, saying the 2 officers would focus on potential investments in lithium.

Chile is the world’s second-largest producer of lithium, a key materials for making the batteries that energy electrical autos.