SANTIAGO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Albemarle's La Negra

lithium processing plant in Chile is operating normally, two

sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday,

after a local lawmaker said authorities had opened an

investigation into a recent accident there.

Jaime Araya, who represents the Antofagasta region where the

plant is located, last week sent a letter to Chile's mining

regulator and labor office requesting an inspection of the site

after receiving a complaint that a pipe containing acid had

burst.

Araya on Tuesday told Reuters he was informed that the labor

inspector's office had opened an investigation.

A source familiar with Albemarle's operations said such

probes are standard procedure and that the plant is operating

normally. A second source added that the problem affected only

one tank and operations were normal.

Albemarle did not immediately respond to questions about any

impact to operations.

A union leader for plant workers, Elias Torres, said he

could not comment because an investigation was underway.

The labor inspector's office said it could not provide

information because the matter was under review.