{"id":51381,"date":"2024-12-10T13:57:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T13:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eramine.eramet.ovh\/?page_id=51381"},"modified":"2025-06-27T06:30:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T09:30:19","slug":"mine-plant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eramine.eramet.com\/en\/activities\/mine-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"Mine & Plant"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Brine<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A mine with a very low impact on nature<\/h2>\n

We mine using an innovative process.  The first step consists in pumping the brine \u2013 a natural salty solution ten times more concentrated than seawater \u2013 in 400-meter-deep wells.<\/strong> The 20 wells have a very limited footprint with small holes of 25 centimetres of diameter.<\/p>\n

After the underground brine containing the lithium is pumped, it is transported to the production plant through pipelines.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

15 million tons of LCE resources<\/h2><\/div>

Resources: 15 millions tons of LCE <\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2020, Eramet obtained certification of compliance with the JORC Code (Joint Ore Reserves Committee): the mineral resources of the Centenario-Ratones salar are estimated at approximately 5,000 million cubic meters of brine with an average lithium content of 407 mg\/l, the equivalent of approximately 15 million tons of LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

A processing plant with a unique DLE technology<\/h2>\n

Once the brine reaches the processing plant, it goes through different stages. The most important one is the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE)<\/strong><\/a> unit developed by Eramet Ideas<\/strong><\/a>: an aluminum-based sponge captures the lithium contained in the brine, with a recovery rate of 90%<\/strong>. Unlike other lithium projects, we do not use evaporation ponds, which allows us to maximize the efficiency of resources use and processing times, achieving in just 7 days what others complete in 18 months.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Production<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The plant and its facilities have been designed with a low footprint. It is a fully automated plant with state-of-the-art technologies that include 30,000 automation devices (sensors, motors, valves, \u2026), including 6,000 instruments and sensors measuring and reporting process activities in real time.<\/p>\n

The plant works with a continuous production process, running 24\/7.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Production<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Powered by Argentinian Argentina\u2019s highest Combined Heat and Power<\/h3>\n

We have invested in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) with 4 Genset of 7MW. This is the highest CHP in Argentina<\/strong>. To get enough gas to our plant, we have also built a gas compression plant, located 320 km away for logistical reasons.<\/p>\n

The gas motor produces the electricity and the exhaust gases are used to co-generate steam and hot water that goes into the process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is how we make the best use of the energy content of the gas. The overall efficiency is very high: the power plant will reach 80% at full capacity (compared to 37% for a combustion engine).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

We also have a photovoltaic power plant (300 kWh) which has been in operation for a while. It covers part of our basecamp and Training Center\u2019s energy needs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Production<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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A clean and innovative technology<\/h2><\/div>

Developed by Eramet and Eramine teams at Eramet Ideas<\/a>, the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology obtained 12 patents. It took 10 years of R&D and 5 years of testing. Final tests were made in situ<\/em><\/span>, at the pilot plant, which we shipped and transported from France to la Puna. Our technology\u2019s main achievements include:<\/p>\n