SANTIAGO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Chilean authorities have

opened an investigation into Albemarle's La Negra lithium

processing plant following an accident reported last week, a

local lawmaker told Reuters on Tuesday.

Lawmaker Jaime Araya, who represents the Antofagasta region

where the plant is located, said he asked Chile's mining

regulator and labor office to inspect the site last week after

receiving a complaint that a pipe containing acid had burst.

Araya said he has been informed that the labor inspector's

office had opened an investigation. 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. Albemarle did

not immediately respond to questions about whether any

operations had been suspended.