Pastos Grandes and Pozuelos are both classified as salars, which are brine formations containing elevated levels of metals in solution, typically as salts. Salars can be found at elevations from 1,000 [m] to more than 4,000 [m] above sea level. They typically represent the end product of a basin infill process that starts with the erosion of the surrounding relief, beginning with deposition of colluvial talus and fan gravels and grading upwards to sheet sands and playa silts and clays as the basin fills. There are numerous variations on the model and the literature provides ample discussion of the relevant tectonic and sedimentary processes involved in both general and specific terms (Hardie et al, 1978; Reading, 1996; Warren, 1999; Einsele, 2000); and specifically with regard to the Altiplano-Puna (Ericksen and Salas, 1989; Alonso et al, 1991; Chong et al., 1999, Bobst et al, 2001; Lowenstein et al., 2003; Risacher et al., 2003; Vinante and Alonso, 2006).

Lithium brine projects differ significantly from hard rock mining projects due to their fluid nature. The important considerations of a brine deposit are the contained elements and chemistry of the brine and the characteristics of the host aquifer, such as aquifer extent, thickness, internal variations/heterogeneity and the physical aquifer properties, particularly porosity.

Lithium brine projects can be subdivided into two broad ‘deposit types’, depending on the salar characteristics (Houston et. a ........

The mining method considers 24-hour extraction of brine from production wells. Brine extraction considers the use of electrical submersible pumps in each production well. The brine is pumped through a pipe network that connects each production well field (Pastos Grandes and Pozuelos) with the Brine Transfer/Mixing Pond located at Pozuelos. From there the mixed brine is pumped to the evaporation ponds, the first stage of the project’s processing component.

The operating brine extraction wells will be relocated throughout the brine resource areas of both salars during the life of the project. Additional wells are added as required to provide constant blended flow as the salar draws down over time. The associated network of brine gathering pipelines will be relocated and amended to service the operating well locations as they progress across the salars. It is envisioned that brine will be supplied by a combination of deep and shallow wells and trenches.

Basic mining infrastructure for brine extraction considers:
- Consolidated access road and platform for rig and well services;
- Consolidated pad for drill location and drilling equipment;
- Production wells, including pumps and electricity supply;
- Pipe network connecting each well area to the process area (evaporation ponds and process plant).

A total of 1200 [m3/h] of raw brine feed is required to support the lithium carbonate production system. The system targets a bl ........

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