American oil and gas companies have long been renowned for their expertise in traditional fossil fuel extraction. However, in the global shift toward sustainable energy, giants like Exxon Mobil $XOM and SLB $SLB are actively exploring investment opportunities in lithium—the essential component for electric vehicle batteries. Chile, as the world's second-largest lithium producer, now emerges as a critical region for discussion between these companies and local government officials.

Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium $002460.SZ, a global leader in lithium production, has announced the start of operations at its "Mariana" project located in northern Argentina. This venture is part of the company's strategic investment in the region, aimed at expanding its production capabilities in the lithium industry, which is rapidly growing due to the increasing demand for battery manufacturing.