Key Minerals: Chinese and Swiss Companies to Jointly Mine Lithium in Argentina
The South China Morning Post reported that China's largest lithium producer, Ganfeng Lithium, has agreed with Swiss lithium carbonate producer Lithium Argentina to develop a project for extracting lithium from lithium brine in Argentina, against the backdrop of the shutdown of a large lithium mine by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL).
Bloomberg previously cited sources reporting that Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, the world's largest Chinese lithium-ion battery manufacturer, has suspended production at its largest lithium mine in Jiangxi Province in southeastern China for at least three months.
Bloomberg reported on Thursday: "Ganfeng Lithium will partner with Swiss lithium carbonate producer Lithium Argentina to integrate three adjacent lithium-rich brine areas in Salta Province, Argentina, into a production project."
The report said that the joint venture, named PPG, will produce 150,000 tons of lithium carbonate annually. Ganfeng Lithium will hold 67% of the shares in the new company, while the Swiss lithium carbonate producer Lithium Argentina AG will hold 33%. Lithium metal will be extracted from brine using solar evaporation or direct extraction methods, aiming to accelerate the extraction process and reduce water usage.
The report said that the two companies have invested 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in building wells, pilot evaporation ponds, production facilities, and worker accommodation sites capable of housing 2,000 people.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840458983060491/
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