Argosy to start continuous Li output at Rincon

Perth-based lithium developer Argosy Minerals is to start continuous operations at the industrial-scale lithium carbonate pilot plant at its 77pc-owned Rincon project in Argentina's Salta province.

The plant will produce lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) to fulfil a supply agreement with trading group Mitsubishi RtM and is part of a strategy to fast-track the project towards commercial production.

The pilot plant was commissioned in April 2018 and produced its first battery-grade lithium carbonate in August. Commencement of industrial-scale operations is aimed at demonstrating Rincon project's ability to become South America's next lithium brine producer.

Argosy has an agreement to initially supply 100t of lithium carbonate to Mitsubishi RtM, but there is flexibility in the contract to modify its terms.

In parallel with the continuous pilot plant, the company said it will also continue progressing towards a 2,000 t/yr modular operation as the next step of scaling up the Rincon project.

A preliminary economic assessment, which is equivalent to a scoping study, indicates that the project can produce between 10,000 t/yr and 15,000 t/yr of LCE, depending on whether the base case or accelerated development model is chosen.