Two mining heavyweights are joining forces to reshape the battery metal landscape. Chile's Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, has partnered with lithium powerhouse SQM to create what could become a dominant force in global lithium supply. The strategy? Leverage ultra-low production costs and minimal environmental impact to capture a surging wave of demand. With electric vehicle adoption accelerating worldwide and energy storage becoming critical infrastructure, controlling high-efficiency lithium production hits differently—it's not just mining, it's about securing the supply chains that power next-generation technology. This play on cost efficiency and sustainability angles positions them to outcompete traditional producers while meeting the growing appetite from tech and renewable sectors.