SANTIAGO, July 8 (Reuters) - Chile's lithium exports surged in value in the first half of the year, nearly tripling from a year earlier as stronger prices and solid global demand boosted sales, the government said on Wednesday.

• Lithium export revenue reached $3.2 billion between January and June, almost three times the level of the same period last year. That was also 34.4% higher than the total Chile exported in all of 2025.

• The government said demand remains strong because lithium is a key material for electric vehicles, energy storage, electronics, AI-related technologies and data centers.

• Overall, Chile's mining exports rose 20.4% in the first half to $36.9 billion.

• The biggest gains in lithium exports came from lithium carbonate, followed by sulfates and hydroxide.

• Chile currently has only two lithium producers: local miner SQM SQM-A.SN and U.S.-based Albemarle ALB.N. The country is trying to expand the sector through state partnerships and privately run projects.

• Chile's top export, copper, also posted strong growth. Copper exports rose 11.5% year-on-year to $30.2 billion in the first half, helped by higher prices and stronger shipments. Copper made up 50.1% of Chile's total exports.

• As the world's biggest copper producer and a major lithium supplier, Chile is benefiting from the global push to electrify transport, expand power grids and build more digital infrastructure.