Eramet Launches Direct Lithium Extraction Plant in Argentina

Eramet celebrates a major milestone with the inauguration of its direct lithium extraction plant in Argentina. This groundbreaking facility positions Eramet as the first European company to achieve large-scale production of battery-grade lithium carbonate, a critical material for the electric vehicle industry.

The Centenario direct lithium extraction plant, located in Salta Province, Argentina, has commenced operations, with initial production scheduled for November 2024. Eramet's achievement marks a major advancement in their strategic shift towards the production of critical energy transition metals. The plant signifies a technological breakthrough, functioning at an altitude of 4,000 meters and employing one of the most advanced Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) processes developed in-house at an industrial scale.

Christel Bories, Group Chair and CEO, highlighted that with the commencement of the Centenario plant, Eramet is poised to become a significant global player in sustainable lithium production, crucial for electric vehicle batteries. This inauguration solidifies Eramet's technological and sustainable leadership throughout the entire lithium value chain, from exploration to processing. Bories attributed this success to the collective efforts of their dedicated teams, the strategic partnership with Tsingshan, the support from Argentina's regional and national authorities, and the respectful relationship with local communities. The lithium produced at Centenario aims to meet the IRMA responsible mining standard, providing substantial value to Eramet's customers.

Centenario Phase 1 is designed to extract and produce 24,000 t/year of battery-grade lithium carbonate at full capacity, placing it in the 1st quartile of the lithium industry's cost curve. The project is developed following the highest standards of sustainable mining, aligning with Eramet's Act for Positive Mining roadmap, demonstrating the company's commitment to responsible and eco-friendly practices.

The Centenario-Ratones deposit is a highly attractive salar in Argentina, situated in Latin America's renowned 'lithium triangle' that includes Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. Eramet holds extraction rights through a single 560 km² concession, ensuring perpetual mining rights. This strategic asset boasts drainable mineral resources exceeding 15 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (Mt-LCE3), with an impressive average lithium concentration of 407 mg/L in the brine. Such significant resources support the potential for future capacity expansion, positioning Eramet to capitalize on the growing demand for lithium, essential for energy transition technologies and the burgeoning electric vehicle market.

Eramet is commencing the commissioning of a state-of-the-art, highly automated processing plant today, marking a significant milestone in the project's execution amidst challenging conditions. The project has faced numerous obstacles, including high altitude and extreme weather conditions, complex logistics for transporting large equipment and materials to the site, and the absence of pre-existing infrastructure. Despite these challenges, up to 1,600 workers have been onsite simultaneously, adhering to the highest health and safety standards, achieving a Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) of less than 2 over approximately 7 million hours of construction activity.