Data Insights: Argentina ready to surpass 450,000t lithium production by 2030

At least two lithium projects in Argentina are set to begin production this year, joining an industry that includes six sites in operation.

Meanwhile, several other initiatives are testing chemical processes and direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies or preparing for construction.

This marks part of a new wave of supply that could reach approximately 470,000t/y of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by the early 2030s, according to BNamericas' forecasts.

The new producers will strengthen the country's installed capacity, adding to existing operations at Fenix, Salar de Olaroz, Cauchari-Olaroz, Centenario-Ratones, Mariana and Sal de Oro. 

Argentine lithium production is having a significant impact on exports. In 2024, LCE shipments increased 71.5% year-on-year to over 67,000t, compared with around 40,000t in 2023. 

This total likely did not include Centenario-Ratones, as its first production was achieved in December. Since then, Centenario has been ramping up production to reach its annual capacity of 24,000t of LCE.

Also in operation is Posco's Sal de Oro site, which launched a 25,000t/y lithium hydroxide plant in October.

Argentina's mining portfolio includes 62 lithium projects in various stages, ranging from exploration to pre-feasibility and operations.

Lithium has attracted the most investment in the country's mining sector, accounting for 63% of investment announcements since 2020, totaling US$20.3bn to date, according to a government statement this month.

Despite low prices, shifts in global demand due to slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption, market reconfigurations in response to US tariff policies, Argentina's economic stabilization efforts and domestic infrastructure challenges, investor appetite for lithium remains strong.

Eramet regained full ownership of its subsidiary Eramine Sudamérica by acquiring its partner Tsingshan's stake, becoming the sole owner of Centenario. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto acquired Arcadium to expand its lithium assets.

Additionally, companies such as Argosy, Tibet Summit and Toyota Tsusho have established offices in Argentina, drawn by renewed optimism following the introduction of large-scale investment incentive regime Rigi. Rio Tinto has applied to have its Rincón project included in this regime, while Galan has done the same for Hombre Muerto Oeste (HMW) and Posco for Sal de Oro.

Recently, Mariana, owned by Ganfeng and Lithium Argentina, also commenced production with a 20,000t/y lithium chloride processing plant.

To date, these are Argentina's operational lithium assets, most of which have expansion plans, according to the BNamericas project database.

Operation	Company	Production guidance LCE 2025	New project
Fénix	Rio Tinto	32,000t (includes Güemes plant production)	Expansion 1B to add 10,000t/y
Olaroz	Rio Tinto	31,000t	-
Cauchari-Olaroz	Exar	30,000t-35,000t	Cauchari-Olaroz (Stage 2) to add 20,000t/y
Centenario-Ratones	Eramet	10,000t-13,000t	Under review
Sal de Oro	Posco	25,000t (lithium hydroxide)	Phase 2 to produce 23,000t/y of lithium carbonate
Mariana	Ganfeng	20,000t/y (lithium chloride)	-

More production on the way

Tres Quebradas, operated by Zijin, is expected to start production in the second half of the year with a 20,000t/y LCE plant, and expansion plans are already underway.

Another upcoming project is Galan's HMW Phase 1, which has its evaporation ponds ready and aims to achieve first production soon with a 5,400t/y LCE plant. Additionally, Galan has secured permits for phase 2, which will increase production to 21,000t/y.

Pilot plants

Several pilot plants are also in operation across Argentina.

Rio Tinto is testing tech solutions with a 3,000t/y LCE processing plant, which is expected to be expanded to 57,000t/y by 2028.

Tecpetrol is running a 25t/y plant as a precursor to a planned 25,000t/y LCE production facility.

As part of American Salars' Pocitos project, a pilot plant is producing lithium chloride while also testing lithium separation and purification, along with the extraction of boron, calcium and other elements from the brine.

Exar is preparing a 5,000t/y LCE pilot plant to test DLE technologies for Cauchari-Olaroz, with operations projected for 2026.

Hanaq Group is also planning a 3,000t/y LCE pilot plant to support development of its Doncella project.

Megaproject in sight

One of the largest upcoming lithium projects is a district combining synergies from Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes, Pastos Grandes and Sal de la Puna to achieve production capacity of 150,000t/y of LCE.

Ganfeng and Lithium Argentina are expected to announce the development plan for this district later this year.

Additionally, projects such as Solaroz, Argosy's Rincón, Sal de Vida and Kachi are expected to be under construction, further expanding Argentina's lithium output beyond current projections.