New event to address critical challenge of scaling responsible lithium production
LONDON & SANTIAGO – CRU, the world's leading provider of analysis, prices, and consulting for the global metals, mining, and fertilizer industries, and the International Lithium Association (ILiA), the voice of the global lithium industry, today announced the launch of the World Lithium Conference, taking place on Monday, 13 April 2026 at the W Hotel, Santiago, Chile.
Strategically co-located with CRU's flagship World Copper Conference, this high-impact event unites the global value chain for the two commodities central to the energy transition.
While copper is essential to moving energy in the shift towards electrification, lithium provides the charge.
Chile sits as the a world leading producer of both commodities and as the global mining and investment community arrives in Santiago for CESCO Week, the leading voices in these two strategic industries will converge for the first time in a landmark week of insights and networking.
The World Lithium Conference will include keynote presentations from the leaders of world’s most important lithium producers, including an opening keynote presentation from Carlos Diaz, CEO of NovaAndino Litio (the newly formed joint venture between Codelco and SQM) and a closing keynote from Sebastian Carmona, Vice President and Regional Leader for Latin America at Albemarle.
Sessions will explore the current global landscape of lithium development, discuss scaling production responsibly and sustainably, and how exploration investment and technical advancements are opening new frontiers for lithium production.
The event will convene C-suite executives, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders from across the lithium value chain to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Nicola Coslett, CEO of CRU Communities, said: "Alongside copper, lithium is at the heart of the energy transition, and the industry is navigating a period of extraordinary change. CRU's World Copper Conference has been the industry's premier gathering for nearly 25 years. By partnering with the International Lithium Association, we are creating the definitive forum for the global copper and lithium communities to come together, share insights, and shape the future of these critical markets”
Roland Chavasse, Secretary General of the International Lithium Association, said: "The International Lithium Association is excited to partner with CRU to launch the World Lithium Conference at a pivotal moment for the lithium industry. By bringing together producers, policymakers, innovators, and end-users in Santiago, the event will provide an important platform for open dialogue on how the sector can scale responsibly, transparently, and collaboratively."
Registration information and more details are available via the CRU Group website.
To discuss participation and promotional opportunities alongside this event please contact Arzu Gungor, Senior Sales Manager, CRU Communities.
About CRU
CRU offers independent, expert intelligence for the global commodities markets. This expertise is built on proprietary data, unbiased insights and strategic thinking. Delivering knowledge across its four core offerings – data, insights, strategy, and communities – CRU supports businesses in navigating today’s increasingly complex commodities market, addressing supply chain challenges, decarbonisation and the energy transition with clarity, confidence and speed.
Since its foundation in 1969, CRU has consistently invested in primary research, robust data methodologies and the development of expert global teams, comprising of world class analysts and consultants. The company has completed an IOSCO audit of all its commodity prices, demonstrating the strength and resilience of its methodologies, policies and processes.
Today, CRU employs over 420 experts across 14 offices in locations including Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.
About the International Lithium Association
The International Lithium Association is the voice of the global lithium industry, representing the entire value chain from mine to battery to recycling. ILiA's mission is to advance a sustainable, responsible, and transparent lithium industry that supports the global energy transition. For more information, visit www.lithium.org.
