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Second Largest Lithium Reserve on the Planet Revealed: A Cold War Is Erupting Over Milei’s ‘Gold Rush’ for Lithium in Argentina’s Lithium Triangle, Threatening China’s Dominance Over Critical Minerals

Written by Flavia Marinho
Published on 24/05/2024 at 05:05
Updated on 24/05/2024 at 08:17
lítio - mineração - reserva - minério - jazidas - terras raras - mineral - metais - indústria - tecnologia - bateria - carros elétricos - china - argentina - triângulo do lítio
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Revolution In Mining: Capable Of Producing 75 Thousand Tons Of Lithium Annually, It Is In The Desert Of Argentina, The Heart Of Mining And Millions Of Batteries For Electric Cars In The World

A revolution in Latin American mining: Starting in July, production will begin in the colossal reserve of ‘white gold’, the essential mineral for most electronic devices in the world. When I mention Centenario Ratones, you probably don’t know what I’m talking about. However, this salt flat located in a desert region of the province of Jujuy, Argentina, is set to extract lithium in industrial quantities never seen anywhere else in the world.

To give you an idea, expectations are so high that it is anticipated that the reserves will cover 15% of Europe’s lithium needs, especially in the electric vehicle battery market.

Lithium, The Treasure Of Argentina’s Puna

YouTube video

‘Centenario Ratones’: The Largest Lithium Deposit

Currently, the concession to operate this deposit belongs to French Aramet, which is developing an innovative mining method to obtain lithium in just a few days, using a solid asset to extract and concentrate the mineral.

The pilot plant, which started in 2020, achieved a direct extraction yield of 90% lithium carbonate, the most efficient in the industry. Production will begin in July, with estimated reserves for 40 years, equivalent to 24,000 tons of lithium carbonate annually.

‘White Gold’ In The Desert Of Argentina Promises To Cover 15% Of Europe’s Needs And Revolutionize Mining Worldwide

In 2021, Aramet partnered with the Chinese steel group Tsingsham to start the production plant. The first industrial units of the factory began operating in November 2023. The second phase projects a total annual production capacity of 75,000 tons, in two development stages, with an investment of 1 billion dollars.

As mentioned, production will begin in July, with the goal of exporting before the end of 2024, with an initial projection of 74 million dollars per year, increasing to 300 million in 2026. If everything goes as planned, the intention is to cover 15% of Europe’s needs and expand the project to include renewable energies, mainly solar, along with a power supply plant.

Dependence Of The Automotive And Technological Industry In Modern Society Makes Lithium The New ‘White Gold’ Of The World

Known as “South American lithium”, this metal is extracted from salt flats (brine), a decantation process that, despite being complex, is up to four times more economical than extracting lithium from hard rocks (as in Australia, Canada, or Portugal). The exploration of this metal is expected to have a significant impact on the local and national economy, being a strategic resource with growing demand in the global market. Currently, the project generates over 1,500 jobs, with nearly 80% of the workers being from Salta.

Lithium is essential for the lifespan of cell phones, computers, and hybrid and electric vehicles. The dependence on a wide range of devices and technologies in modern society makes lithium ore a valuable and strategic resource. However, from an environmental perspective, it also presents challenges, such as waste management and sustainable resource use.

Desert In Argentina Houses 20% Of Global Reserves Of This Essential Mineral For The Manufacture Of Electric Vehicle Batteries And Electronic Devices

Although Argentina is the second country in lithium ore reserves (housing 20% of global reserves), its industry has not yet risen to meet this wealth. The lack of infrastructure in the northwest of the country is a weak point, and national companies are calling for adjustments in the government’s austerity policy.

The fall in lithium prices in the market also affects the expansion of projects under development.

Argentina Faces Another Challenge With China: China And The West Dispute Control Of More Than 60% Of Global Lithium Reserves

Argentina faces another challenge with China, especially in the border regions of the Lithium Triangle in the Andes, where China and the West dispute control of more than 60% of global lithium ore reserves. Chinese companies entered early and strongly during the Peronist administration. Ganfeng Lithium invested 960 million dollars in 24,000 hectares of salt flats, many still unexplored, at the peak of the lithium bubble in 2022. Today, Ganfeng has five operations at different stages of development in Argentina.

I would love to know if you have heard of lithium, the new ‘white gold. Let us know in the comments section if you are a mining, steel or related professional. Don’t forget to turn on notifications for CPG to keep up with all the news from Brazil and the world. See you next time!

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Eduardo Ferreira Folly
Eduardo Ferreira Folly
26/05/2024 13:48

Interessante a informação.

Alexandre
Alexandre
26/05/2024 09:53

A Quebra a Jato, made in USA, destruiu o Brasil.
As Instituições BrasilEEUUras são tentáculos de Washington, principalmente as FFAA, as quais sempre trabalharam para os interesses norte-americanos. A Polícia Federal, então, nem se fala. Essa “direita brasileira” é de uma **** que ultrapassa todos limites imagináveis.
Como eu sempre disse, esses trastes ignorantes não têm a mínima ideia da verdade, e não sabem que não têm.
São capazes de entregar o Brasil enrolado na bandeira nacional ao som do hino brasileiro, com as FFAA brasilEEUUras a postos para impedir que alguém tente impedir.
O “combate à corrupção” sempre foi uma das principais ferramentas de Washington para depor chefes de Estado, de outros países, para provocar a prisão de líderes, eleitos democraticamente, que não se submetem aos interesses econômicos dos Estados Unidos. Basta olhar as dezenas de casos, principalmente na África e América Latina, ao longo da História, para se constatar isto.

Edvaldo
Edvaldo
26/05/2024 09:24

Os **** tomaram o poder, no entanto, os impostos tripicaram, e os produtos estão mais caro, grande melhoria eles estão fazendo.

Flavia Marinho

Flavia Marinho é Engenheira pós-graduada, com vasta experiência na indústria de construção naval onshore e offshore. Nos últimos anos, tem se dedicado a escrever artigos para sites de notícias nas áreas militar, segurança, indústria, petróleo e gás, energia, construção naval, geopolítica, empregos e cursos. Entre em contato com flaviacamil@gmail.com ou WhatsApp +55 21 973996379 para correções, sugestão de pauta, divulgação de vagas de emprego ou proposta de publicidade em nosso portal.

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