Our History

Creation of Eramine Sudamérica S.A.

Agreement with REMSA and adjudication of mining titles.

After years of mining exploration, our teams confirmed the feasibility of the project.

A pilot-scale project started on-site with two aims: optimizing the production of lithium carbonate at a larger scale and training our teams.

In February 2020, the Free, Prior and Informed Consent process was conducted, pursuant to the ILO 169 Convention, in which the community expressed its support for the project.

In April 2020, the Covid-19 global pandemic struck, and the project was halted. Despite this, a strong team of 80 people continues to manage the pilot plant, along with relations with the authorities and communities.

The pilot plant confirmed the quality of the lithium carbonate final product, with a very high level of direct extraction efficiency (90%). It produces lithium carbonate, the perfect final product for the electric vehicles battery industry.

In November, Eramet partnered with the Chinese iron and steel group Tsingshan to build its production plant.

Eramine launched the IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance) process. This international standard is designed to certify responsible mining operations.

In the first semester of 2022, the construction of the production plant started with the aim of producing its first lithium carbonate in 2024.

The construction progressed very quick despite the harsh conditions of La Puna. At the peak of the construction, there were 1,600 workers simultaneously.

July: Eramet inaugurates its direct lithium extraction plant in Argentina, becoming the first lithium producer in Argentina and the first European company to produce battery-grade lithium   carbonate at industrial scale

October: Eramet acquires 100% of Eramine’s properties in Argentina. This acquisition is expected to open up new markets and consolidate Eramet’s position as Europe’s largest lithium producer.

December: first non-commercial lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) production.