Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 hr ago
Pursuit outlines two expansion routes for Argentina lithium project
Pursuit Minerals has outlined two expansion options for its Rio Grande Sur lithium project in Argentina.
The company is considering producing battery-grade lithium carbonate or technical-grade lithium chloride.
Its original plan remains the base case, with annual capacity of 5,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, while the expansion options could raise capacity to 17,500 tonnes.
The project’s probable reserve has risen to 438,000 tonnes, up from 125,000 tonnes, according to the company’s reassessment.
Both expansion routes are models, not a final decision, and depend on further studies, permits, funding and approval to invest.
The first production stage is modelled for 2030, with a second stage starting in 2036; pumping tests and customer qualification will help assess the options for a definitive feasibility study.
The plans matter because they set out a potential larger source of lithium, a material used in electric vehicle and grid batteries.
Pursuit Minerals has outlined two staged expansion routes for its Rio Grande Sur lithium project in Argentina.
The routes could increase annual production from 5,000 to 17,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.
The options are to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate or technical-grade lithium chloride.
A reassessment increased the project’s probable reserve from 125,000 to 438,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.
The expansion cases depend on further studies, permits, funding and a final investment decision.
- Who
- Pursuit Minerals, which wholly owns the project.
- What
- It modelled two staged expansion routes that could raise annual production to 17,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.
- When
- The expansion cases model initial production in 2030, with a second stage starting in 2036.
- Where
- The Rio Grande Sur project in Salta, Argentina.
- Why
- To assess options for expanding lithium production and producing either battery-grade lithium carbonate or technical-grade lithium chloride.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The expansion cases model initial production.
The modelled second stage is due to start.
- Probable reserve
- 438,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, up from 125,000 tonnes
- Base-case annual capacity
- 5,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent
- Potential expanded annual capacity
- 17,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent
- Carbonate route initial capital
- US$570.7 million before financing costs
- Chloride route initial capital
- US$432.9 million before financing costs
What people are saying
Increasing our probable ore reserve by approximately 250% to 438,000 tonnes LCE has fundamentally transformed the scale of the project, supporting a staged expansion to 17,500 tonnes per annum and creating the potential for a globally significant, long-life lithium operation
The alternative lithium chloride pathway offers further commercial flexibility, with Stage 2 operating costs of just US$3,880 per tonne LCE
Our staged development strategy provides a capital-efficient pathway to production, with the potential to fund Stage 2 equity requirements from Stage 1 operating cash flow, minimising future shareholder dilution