en.Wedoany.com Reported - French mining group Eramet has confirmed it will launch a feasibility study for the expansion of its lithium operations in the Puna region of Salta Province, Argentina, a decision based on the current operational performance of the Centenario-Ratones plant. During a video conference between Salta Governor Gustavo Sáenz and the group's global CEO Christel Bories, Eramet disclosed this investment plan, estimated at $350 million, which will be used to increase existing production capacity.

Following the completion of startup and commissioning, the Centenario-Ratones plant is currently operating at 90% of its rated capacity. Bories stated during the meeting that the expansion phase will add approximately 11,000 tonnes of annual lithium carbonate production, representing a 15% increase over current output levels. According to the company's plans, the long-term goal for the project is to expand annual capacity to 150,000 tonnes.

The production site employs direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, achieving a lithium recovery rate of nearly 90% from brine, offering advantages in resource utilization efficiency compared to traditional evaporation processes. This technological choice also reinforces the project's environmentally friendly attributes, and amid tightening global regulations on lithium mining development, such process characteristics are becoming a favorable factor for the project's compliant advancement.

Bories believes that the successful startup of the Salta plant is a landmark achievement for the Eramet group, and stated that Salta Lithium will become an even more important growth engine for the group in the coming years. The expansion plan is proposed to be included under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Scheme (RIGI), the country's regulatory incentive framework for large-scale capital projects. Salta's Minister of Production and Mining, Ignacio Lupión, and Mining Secretary Gustavo Carrizo also attended the meeting. Governor Sáenz emphasized that investments should be effectively translated into local job opportunities, strengthen the local supplier network, and promote sustainable development of the province's mining sector. Through the combination of capacity expansion and technological innovation, the Centenario-Ratones project continues to solidify its position as one of Argentina's strategic lithium projects.