Our lithium plant in operation in late 2024
After two years, the construction of the lithium carbonate production plant at the Centenario Ratones camp, is almost completed.
In July 2024, we celebrate a decisive step in a project that represents a huge industrial and human challenge: the start of operations at the plant that will extract lithium from the salt brine and process it into the battery-grade lithium carbonate needed for the electric vehicle value chain.
With no pre-existing commercial presence in the country, we have established trusting relationships with the authorities and local communities. Our teams, together with our partners overcame considerable logistical challenges, particularly during the covid crisis, in a secluded and sparsely populated place.
Construction of an airstrip, gas compression plant 320 km from the plant, a life camp, equipment imports from more than 10 countries.
This was a major work that involves the assembly of 5,900 tons of steel structures.
With success towards our safety commitments: total recordable injury rate <2 for about 7 million hours of construction activity for 1,600 workers simultaneously on the site.
The plant began production in late 2024 and will have an annual capacity of 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate.