Mining Intelligence and News
Argentina

Hombre Muerto West (HMW) Project

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeIn-Situ
StageConstruction
Commodities
  • Lithium
  • Potassium
Mining Method
  • Brine mining
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SnapshotGalan’s flagship Hombre Muerto West (HMW) Lithium Project is situated in one of the most prolific salt flats in the world.

The HMW project is separated into four production phases. The Phase 1 DFS is based on the production of 5.4ktpa LCE of lithium chloride concentrate. The Phase 2 DFS, announced on 3 October 2023, targets medium-term production of 21ktpa LCE. Phase 3 at HMW aims to achieve 40ktpa LCE within a 2-5 year horizon whilst Phase 4 represents a longer-term target of 60ktpa LCE, leveraging lithium brine sourced from both HMW and Galan’s other project, Candelas.

There are approximately 10 projects in northern Argentina that can potentially process the lithium chloride concentrate generated by the HMW Project to produce a lithium carbonate product.

As of 2023, Galan secured all required approvals for Phase 1 construction and commenced construction. As of beginning of 2025, full mining permit for Phase 2 granted, securing the pathway for continued development.
Latest NewsGalan Lithium Limited: Full HMW Phase 2 (21Ktpa LCE) Mining Permit Granted     January 6, 2025

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Galan Lithium Ltd. 100 % Indirect
Galan Lithium Limited is a 100% owned Hombre Muerto West lithium brine project in Argentina.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Brine
  • Evaporite
  • Sediment-hosted

Summary:

All licence areas cover sections of alluvial fans and fractured rocks located on the western margin of the Hombre Muerto Salar proper. The salar hosts a world-renowned lithium brine deposit. The lithium is sourced locally from weathered and altered felsic ignimbrites and is concentrated in brines hosted within basin fill alluvial sediments and evaporites.

Dimensions
The extents of the resource are approximately 2 km to 8 km (easting) by 14 km (northing) by 900 m (vertical), giving a total volume of interest of ~15 km3.

Grades are relatively uniform with depth and lateral extent within hydrogeological domains.

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

The LiCl concentrate generated by the HMW Project is planned to be sold and processed within the northern region of Argentina to produce a lithium carbonate product. The estimate of the recoverable LCE produced from the lithium chloride concentrate after the conversion process considers a recovery of 90%.
CommodityProductUnitsAvg. AnnualLOM
LCE Crystals t 20,851806,430

Production Costs

CommodityUnitsAverage
Cash costs LCE USD  ....  Subscribe
Assumed price LCE USD  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2023 study / presentation.

Project Costs

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
Initial CapEx $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Expansion CapEx $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Sustaining CapEx $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax NPV @ 8% $M USD  ......  Subscribe
After-tax NPV @ 8% $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscribe
After-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscribe
After-tax payback period, years  ......  Subscribe

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNamePhoneEmailProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Oct 3, 2023
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Oct 3, 2023
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 1, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required ........... Subscription required ........... Subscription required Subscription required Jan 7, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 1, 2025

EmployeesYear
...... Subscription required 2023

Aerial view:

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