A technician handles a sample of lithium carbonate processed from the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 13, 2021. Picture taken August 13, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

A general view of the Rincon Mining lithium camp at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 13, 2021. Picture taken August 13, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

An employee is pictured outside the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 13, 2021. Picture taken August 13, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

An employee works at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

Employees work at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

A welder works at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

An employee walks at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

Brine pools used to extract lithium are seen next to a lithium mining camp at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

An employee walks at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

An employee works at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

Employees grab carbonate lithium after being processed at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

Brine pools are pictured at the Rincon Mining lithium camp, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

An employee takes a sample at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

An employee grabs carbonate lithium after being processed at the Rincon Mining lithium pilot plant, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

The moon is pictured during sunset at the Rincon Mining lithium camp, at the Salar del Rincon salt flat, in Salta, Argentina August 12, 2021. Picture taken August 12, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian 

Children ride bikes in the Mutange neighbourhood, which has been affected by rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem, in Maceio, Brazil January 30, 2020. Picture taken January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

Marcio da Rocha Cavalcante, 47, is pictured in an apartment with cracks linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 27, 2020. Picture taken January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

A child plays with horses in the Mutange neighbourhood, which has been affected by rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem, in Maceio, Brazil January 30, 2020. Picture taken January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

A man passes subsoil monitoring equipment installed to track effects of rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 29, 2020. Picture taken January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

In the northeastern Brazilian city of Maceio, a number of salt mines owned and operated by petrochemical firm Braskem have over time eroded the ground underneath a large chunk of the city.

Jose Rinaldo Januario, 47, is pictured in his house next to cracks linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 29, 2020. Picture taken January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

A dog is pictured beside subsoil monitoring equipment installed to track effects of rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 29, 2020. Picture taken January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

Horses graze outside of a a building with cracks linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 27, 2020. Picture taken January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

A crack monitor is attached to the wall of a house with damage linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 29, 2020. Picture taken January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

People wait at a Braskem service center run for residents affected by the petrochemical company's rock salt mining in Maceio, Brazil January 30, 2020. Picture taken January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

A building with cracks linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem is seen in Maceio, Brazil January 27, 2020. Picture taken January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

Jose Rinaldo Januario, 47, shows a damage in his house linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 28, 2020. Picture taken January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

A child rides a bicycle past subsoil monitoring equipment installed to track effects of rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 29, 2020. Picture taken January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

Joeliton Barbosa Goes, 45, stands in his house next to a crack linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 28, 2020. Picture taken January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

Jose Rinaldo Januario, 47, is pictured outside his house next to cracks linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil January 28, 2020. Picture taken January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli 

Chile's Minister of Mining Baldo Prokurica walks on Pedernales Salt Flat in the Atacama Desert, Chile November 27, 2019. Picture taken November 27, 2019. REUTERS/Fabian Cambero 

Chile's Minister of Mining Baldo Prokurica walks on Infieles Salt Flat in the Atacama Desert, Chile November 27, 2019. Picture taken November 27, 2019. REUTERS/Fabian Cambero 

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows the brine pools of SQM lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert of northern Chile, January 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/File Photo 

Water containers are seen on a construction at Cejar lagoon at Atacama salt flat near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A park ranger irrigates a young tree at Cejar lagoon at Atacama salt flat near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Workers prepare to install a moisture metering system in the middle of Atacama salt flat near Toconao in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

The shadow of a roof is cast on an old corral at Cejar lagoon at Atacama salt flat near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Flamingo birds are seen at Chaxa lagoon on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A sign reading 'No trespassing' stands at Cejar lagoon at Atacama salt flat near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Reuters' journalist Dave Sherwood stands on the Atacama salt flat near Chaxa lagoon in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Brine pools from a lithium mine, that belongs U.S.-based Albemarle Corp, is seen on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado ÊSEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. 

Empty water containers hang outside a mud house of a park ranger at Cejar lagoon at Atacama salt flat near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Locals dance amidst confetti at sunset during a religious holiday in the Peine area on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A nun sprinkles holy water on believers inside a church during a religious holiday in the Peine area on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Water flows in an irrigation canal in front of Lascar volcano in the Talabre area at Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A view through a car window of a mining camp belonging to SQM lithium plant during nightfall near the Peine area on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado SEARCH "MINE LITHIUM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. 

The harvested salt is seen in a mound in a salt pan at Xwejni, outside the village of Zebbug on the island of Gozo, Malta September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi 

A pile of salt is seen in a salt pan at Xwejni, outside the village of Zebbug on the island of Gozo, Malta September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi 

Salt flakes are seen in a salt pan at Xwejni, outside the village of Zebbug on the island of Gozo, Malta September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi 

A pile of salt is seen in a salt pan at Xwejni, outside the village of Zebbug on the island of Gozo, Malta September 4, 2018. Picture taken September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi 

Mines and Energy Minister Wellington Moreira Franco speaks during the Brazil's pre-salt offshore oil auction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares 

A view of brine pools of a lithium mine on the Atacama Salt Flat in the Atacama Desert, Chile August 16, 2018. Picture taken August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

A view of brine pools of a lithium mine on the Atacama Salt Flat in the Atacama Desert, Chile August 16, 2018. Picture taken August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado 

A view of brine pools of a lithium mine on the Atacama Salt Flat in the Atacama Desert, Chile August 16, 2018. Picture taken August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado 

A view of brine pools of a lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile August 16, 2018. Picture taken August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

A view of a brine pools of a lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile August 16, 2018. Picture taken August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado 

A salt dealer pours water to the cooling system of his car's engine as he transports sacks of salt he got from a salt mountain mine in Marib, Yemen April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Ali Owidha 

Workers collect salt at a salt mountain mine in Marib, Yemen April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Ali Owidha 

Workers collect salt at a salt mountain mine in Marib, Yemen April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Ali Owidha