Mining Intelligence and News
Argentina

Centenario-Ratones Project

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeIn-Situ
StageConstruction
Commodities
  • Lithium
Mining Method
  • Brine mining
Production Start... Lock
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotThe construction of the Centenario-Ratones lithium plant (Phase I), launched in 2022.

On July 3, 2024, Eramet SA announced start of the commissioning of the Centenario direct lithium extraction plant (Phase I). The start of production is planned in November 2024. Ramp-up is expected to be achieved by mid-2025.

In November 2023, Eramet’s Board of Directors recently approved the investment decision for the development of the first tranche of Phase 2 for an additional 30kt LCE per year. This approval remains subject to obtaining construction permits. Start of production is expected in Q2 2026.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Tsingshan Holding Group Co. 49.9 % Indirect
Eramet Group 50.1 % Indirect
Eramine Sudamérica S.A. (operator) 100 % Direct
Eramet has a majority share of 50.1% in the project and manages it from an operational standpoint. Tsingshan is fi nancing a large part of the plant construction and will take a 49.9% stake in the project.

Eramine Sudamerica (50.1% Eramet) owns 100% of the Centenario-Ratones project with perpetual mining rights.

Deposit type

  • Brine

Summary:

The project area is a hydrological basin containing two salt flats, Centenario and Ratones. The Ratones Salar is located to the N of C° Ratones. A mountainous island of metamorphic rocks emerges in the central eastern part of the salt flats, where it forms a wide bay in its southern sector. Within and around the bay is the borate concentration. The Salar de Centenario is the continuation of the previous one, from which it is separated by the confluence of two important alluvial cones that expand into the depression. Genetically, it is related to the development of an important alignment of extinct hot springs, whose travertine remains can be seen on the eastern edge of the salar, coinciding with the regional fracture that limits the depression.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

CommodityUnitsAvg. Annual
LCE kt 24

Operational metrics

Metrics
Annual production capacity  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2022 study.

Production Costs

CommodityUnitsAverage
Cash costs LCE USD  ....  Subscribe
Assumed price LCE USD  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2022 study / presentation.

Project Costs

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
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Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 5, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 5, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 8, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 8, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 8, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 8, 2024

EmployeesYear
...... Subscription required 2024

Aerial view:

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