LCE production process in Arizaro Salar will operate through brine extraction wells.
Based on the results available to date from pumping tests carried out in the Arizaro Salar, it has been determined that brine extraction will be carried out through the installation and operation of a conventional brine production wellfield. The brine extracted from each production well will be stored in one collection/transfer pond, from where it will be pumped through a main pipeline directly to the receiving ponds located near the DLE plant.
The considerations adopted for the estimation of the production plan are the following:
• The maximum extractable brine will be 18% of the brine volume declared in the resource estimation section, as a percentage determined based on the QP's experience and Houston et al. (2011).
• The plant's efficiency is estimated at an average value of 81.5% used for calculation purposes.
• An annual dilution factor of 0.4% is considered for the lithium concentration in most of the resource polygons, whereas in the eastern part (well ARDDH-05 polygons) a dilution factor of 0.6% is considered. This is based on QP experience, and on the identification of zones with preferential permeability in the eastern part of the Salar.
• A production ramp-up, which consists of 30% of the annual LCE production target (25,000 t/y) in Year 1, followed by 60% in Year 2, 90% in Year 3, and 100% from Year 4 onwards.
Based on the ........