Swiss-based Lithium Argentina and Chinese Ganfeng Lithium signed a letter of intent to jointly develop brine projects in the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes basin, in Argentina.
The basin in the Salta province encompasses two jointly owned projects: Pastos Grande, which is 85pc owned by Lithium Argentina and 15pc by Ganfeng; and Sal de la Puna, with a 65pc-35pc split ownership between the two. The agreement includes the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project, fully owned by Ganfeng and also in the region.
The agreement provides a framework for both companies to finalize the development of their resources, which will include brine evaporation projects and direct lithium extraction operations.
When finished, the three projects will have a combined capacity of 150,000 metric tonnes (t)/yr of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) production, according to Lithium Argentina. The parties are also considering producing lithium chloride in the region.
The also companies share the Cauchari-Olaroz project — the top LCE plant in the country, which produced 25,400t last year — through a joint venture (JV) named Exar. The JV expects production this year to increase by up to 37pc from 2024.
