Argentina mining operation becomes largest lithium mine on the continent

Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) announced today that the company and its partner Ganfeng Lithium have commenced development planning for a second expansion of at least 20,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE") production capacity from the Approved the Caucharí-Olaroz lithium project in the Jujuy province of Argentina. According to the statement, the Stage 2 expansion plan is aimed at the following development parameters: production capacity of at least 20,000 tpa LCE, which is scheduled to begin in 2025; Start of construction in H2 2022 after commissioning and the start of the initial 40,000 tpa operation ("Stage 1"); Infrastructure additions to support long-term expansions beyond level 2. "Caucharí-Olaroz is well on its way to becoming the largest new lithium brine operation in over 20 years," commented George Ireland, Chairman of Lithium Americas. "With the completion of the construction work for stage 1 within the next year, we will start planning our next growth phase in Argentina together with Ganfeng Lithium." In the second quarter of 2021, leading members of the commissioning and construction team from Ganfeng Lithium arrived in Argentina to accompany the project through to commissioning. The Ganfeng Lithium team has current experience with the construction and commissioning of lithium carbonate plants in China, the company said. Ganfeng Lithium is the largest lithium chemicals manufacturer in China with a diverse mix of products including lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, lithium fluoride, lithium metal and butyl lithium. Lithium Americas is a development-stage company with projects in Jujuy, Argentina and Nevada, USA.