In a major win for protectionist policies this week, CATL has committed to investing $1.4 billion in two production plants in Bolivia’s salt flats, which as of yet have been unavailable to outside investors because of the Bolivian government’s nationalization of the resources. The money will initially cover two projects utilizing direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, with potential to expand the projects further to an investment of up to $10 billion. Construction of the plants could begin as early as July according to Bolivia’s energy ministry, with the two plants producing up to 25,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year. The plants would be the first major lithium to be produced out of Bolivia, despite the country’s massive salt…