Keith Evans, a geologist by profession first became involved in the lithium business in the early 1970’s when he was asked to evaluate the future potential of Bikita Minerals which had, until the imposition of UN sanctions against Rhodesia, been the dominant producer of lithium ores of low iron content for the glass and ceramics industries.

Subsequently, he jointed Lithium Corporation and later joined Amax Exploration. On behalf of Amax and a Chilean partner he led the negotiations with the Chilean Government to evaluate and later develop the brine resources of that part of the Salar de Atacama that had not been leased to the Foote Mineral Company.

He was subsequently responsible for all aspects of the evaluation but when Amax decided not to proceed with the project ownership passed to Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM). It is now the world’s leading source of lithium.

After retirement from Amax he has continued to consult on a number of industrial minerals and has written extensively on the subject of lithium reserves.