Eramine Completes First Lithium Carbonate Export from Salta

Eramine, part of the French group Eramet, has completed its first export of lithium carbonate from its operations in Salta province, Argentina. This milestone establishes Salta as a lithium-exporting province and marks Eramine as the fourth lithium project in Argentina to reach production status, following Fénix, Olaroz, and Caucharí-Olaroz.

The initial shipment of 40 tons traveled 1,580 kilometers from the Centenario-Ratones Salt Flat to the Port of Rosario, demonstrating a well-coordinated logistics operation. Alejandro Moro, CEO of Eramine, described the achievement as a turning point for both the company and the province, highlighting the commitment to a sustainable industrial model based on high safety standards and advanced technology.

Located at 4,000 meters above sea level in the Los Andes department, the Centenario-Ratones project is one of Argentina’s major lithium investments, with an initial phase investment of $870 million. The facility is expected to reach full-scale commercial production of 24,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate, supporting international supply chains for strategic minerals.

To ensure operational security and traceability, each transport unit is equipped with real-time monitoring technology, meeting stringent safety standards for lithium chemical transport. Eramine reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable mining, emphasizing innovation and Argentina’s integration into the global lithium supply chain.

The project has also contributed significantly to employment, with over 1,500 workers now employed at Eramine, 80% of whom are from Salta. During peak construction, the workforce reached 3,000. Governor Gustavo Sáenz praised the project's economic impact, reinforcing its role in local workforce development.

The Eramine plant employs direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, an emerging method that offers over 90% efficiency and significantly reduces production time to just one week. The company highlighted the advantages of DLE over traditional brine evaporation methods, which typically have efficiency rates below 50%. Eramine considers this technological advancement a critical step in optimizing natural resources and enhancing environmental sustainability.