SANTIAGO, March 11 (Reuters) - CleanTech Lithium ( CTLHF )

expects to formally launch the search for a strategic partner

for its Laguna Verde lithium project after publishing a

pre-feasibility study later this month, with the process likely

to take nine to 12 months, Chief Executive Ignacio Mehech said.

The timeline gives a clearer sense of how quickly the

London-listed company hopes to advance one of a limited number

of private-sector lithium projects moving ahead in Chile, where

new supply has been slow to emerge despite strong long-term

demand expectations.

CleanTech said on Tuesday that it had agreed contractual terms

with Chile's mining ministry for a special lithium operating

contract, or CEOL, for Laguna Verde, its flagship project in

northern Chile.

The decree still requires ratification by Chile's

comptroller general before it can be signed.

Mehech, speaking to Reuters after the announcement, said the

partner process would begin once the company releases the

pre-feasibility study, which he said is expected in the coming

weeks.

"That is what really allows a company to seriously review

the project," he said, adding the firm was looking for a partner

to pitch in with both equity and debt support.

Potential partners could include mining companies, cathode

manufacturers, battery makers or automakers, he said.

Mehech said the company's next steps after the CEOL would be

to advance environmental permitting and complete a feasibility

study, alongside the partner search. He said those processes

should run in parallel and could position the company to take an

investment decision in the next couple of years.

The terms of the CEOL are in line with others previously

awarded in Chile, Mehech said, without giving more details.

Mehech said the company expected the comptroller's review to be

relatively straightforward, because the mining ministry had

already addressed issues raised in earlier contract reviews. The

company has said it expects ratification in the second quarter.

CleanTech has previously reported a resource estimate for

Laguna Verde of 1.9 million metric tons of lithium carbonate

equivalent, although the company said that figure could be

revised in light of an adjusted area outlined in the contract.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Andrea Ricci )