Rincon produces first lithium concentrate

Perth-based lithium developer Argosy Minerals will start brine concentrate production this week from a pilot plant at its Rincon project in Argentina's Salta province.

It recently began construction of evaporation ponds for the project, which is situated within the so-called lithium triangle that spans parts of Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, it said.

A preliminary economic assessment is ongoing. Samples of battery grade lithium carbonate equivalent will be sent to potential customers in China, Japan and Korea in April and May, the company said.

"The company believes it will be able to executive potential medium and long term offtake agreements with the highest quality battery and cathode industry participants as a result of having proved the quality of our Rincon battery grade LCE product," it said.

The company will sell surplus battery grade LCE produced during the pilot testing phase.

Stage two evaporation ponds are expected to be operational for peak solar evaporation and lithium concentrate production by the start of the next southern hemisphere summer season.

While most Australian lithium developers are focusing on hard rock lithium production in Australia, Europe, North America and Africa, Argosy is one of the few focusing on lithium brine production in South America.

Perth-based Galaxy Resources is developing the Sal de Vida lithium brine project in Argentina along with its existing hard rock Mt Cattlin lithium mine in Western Australia and its hard rock James Bay lithium project in Quebec, Canada.