SQM eyes expansion as lithium prices jump

Santiago, Chile

ONE of the world's largest lithium producers is looking to expand into a new country as prices surge to record highs amid a nascent electric-vehicle boom led by car makers such as Tesla Inc and Mitsubishi Corp.

Soc Quimica & Minera de Chile SA is considering opportunities to establish a foothold in a fourth country, according to company officials, who asked not be named because the matter hasn't been made public.