Due to its huge reserves of gold, silver and lithium, distributed in 3 different countries, South America stands out on the world stage, since it has one thing in common: it competes with powers like China y United States of America. According to data from Trading Economics, Bloomberg and Statista GmbH, these nations lead in possession of these minerals and consolidate the region as a major international player.
The gold reserves, the huge silver mines and the rich lithium deposits all allow South American countries to compete with major nations in the various global reserves of these minerals.
South American countries with the largest reserves of gold, silver and lithium
Venezuela, Peru y Chilebut the leaders of gold, silver and lithium reserves, respectively, in South America. They are the top three nations with each ranking for a particular mineral, according to reports presented by Trading Economics, Bloomberg and Statista GmbH. However, Chile only manages to position itself among the top three locations for other minerals.
- Mayor gold reserve: Venezuela
- Largest cash reserve: Peru
- Largest lithium reserve: Bolivia
Venezuela has the largest gold reserve in South America
Venezuela South America stands out as having the largest gold reserve, by estimate 161.0 tonswhich makes it the country with the largest gold reserves in the region. This amount exceeds the reserves of other South American countries such as Brazil (130.0 tons) and Argentina (61.74 tons), according to the report presented Trade Economics.
The domain of Venezuela in gold reserves is due to its huge mineral wealth and the importance of gold mining in its economy. Despite the economic and political challenges, Venezuela’s gold reserves remain a strategic asset for the country.
- Venezuela: 161.0 tons
- Brazil: 130.0 tons
- Argentina: 61.74 tons
Venezuela’s reserve exceeds others such as Brazil and Argentina. Photo: Andina.
Peru, the largest cash reserve in South America
Peru stands out as the country with the largest cash reserve in South America, which is also leading the world. According to recent data, Peru surpasses mining powers like China y United States of Americaconsolidating itself as a key player in the global money industry, according to the German statistics portal Statistics GmbH. This location is the result of its large mineral deposits, located mainly in the Andes region.
At the South American level, the Peru resulting in a reserve of 110,000 tonsleaving behind other nations in the region such as: Chile (26,000 tons) and Bolivia (22,000 tons). The most important silver reserves in Peru are found mainly in Puno, Pasco, Junín and Áncash.
- Peru: 110,000 tons
- Chile: 26,000 tons
- Bolivia: 22,000 tons
Peru is leading among the other powers of the world. Photo: Depositphotos.
Bolivia has the largest lithium reserve in South America
Bolivia, along with Chile and Argentina, is part of the ‘Lithium Triangle’, a region with the highest concentration of this mineral in the world, with a total of 21 million tonnes, according to Bloomberg. It should be noted that the country has the largest unexploited lithium reserve, because it has to deal with infrastructural and technological problems to be able to obtain it effectively.
Bolivia is part of the ‘Lithium Triangle’, along with Chile and Argentina. Photo: Unsam News.
However, Chile presented as the nation with the largest export of lithium, with a total of 9,300,000 tons. It exceeds giant nations such as Australia (6,200,000 tons), China (2,000,000 tons) and the United States (1,000,000 tons).
- Bolivia: 21 million tons
- Argentina: 20 million tons
- Chile: 11 million tons