"Wealth Minerals, Indigenous community form partnership on Kuska lithium project", 04 February 2025

...Wealth Minerals has teamed up with an Indigenous group residing in Chile’s Ollagüe Salar in what is considered a historic partnership to jointly develop the 100%-owned Kuska lithium project.

On Monday, the Vancouver-based miner announced the formation of a joint venture with the Quechua Indigenous Community of Ollagüe (CIQO), which will own a 5% free-carried interest in the JV and has the right to a seat on the JV’s board...

According to Wealth, both parties believe this structure is the right balance to bring Kuska to production and ensure the highest standards of community participation and transparency. The JV initiative represents the first of its kind in Chile, granting an Indigenous group leadership role in new lithium projects.

“The association with Wealth Minerals for the Kuska project will allow the community to be involved in the development of the project, making decisions and guiding the care and protection of the most vulnerable sectors of our territory, ensuring that everything is done with the highest standards,” CIQO president Víctor Nina Huanca said in a news release...

The Ollagüe Salar represents one of the first six locations earmarked by the Chilean government for lithium development. This designation, according to Wealth, means that Kuska will be prioritized to receive a special lithium operation contract by Chile...