Argentina could soon become one of the world's leading lithium producers, as several companies hurry to exploit the salt lakes in the northwestern part of the country, said Argentinian government representative recently.
Argentine mining minister Mariano Lamothe, who spoke at the Strategic Excellence in Mining conference in Santiago, said that projects currently under development will be able to extract 150,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year from the beginning of the next decade.
Projects approaching the construction phase include Eramet Centenario Ratones (20,000 tonnes per year), Argosy Minerals Salar del Rincon (25,000pc), Millennial Lithium Pastos Grandes (25,000pc) and NextView New Energy's Sal de Los Angeles (15,000pc ).
These will be seen as complementary to the extensions of Argentina's two existing Lithium operations, FMC Lithium Fenix and Orocobre's Olaroz.
By 2023, the country will be able to produce 290,000 tonnes per year, said Lamothe, which makes it a strong competitor for many keen global lithium developers.
Source: Mining News
