[SMM News] Lithium Argentina outlines phased expansion plan for Cauchari-Olaroz

On October 2(nd), Sigma Lithium has suspended all mining and industrial activities at its Grota do Cirilo operation in Brazil, its sole producing asset, pending a federal appeals court ruling on a preliminary injunction over its environmental licences. Brazil's national mining agency (ANM) had ordered mining halted on the eastern slope of the north pit. Concentrate output from the site is halted during the suspension, and sales of lithium fines continue. Sigma pushed back its 12-month production guidance of 240,000 mt by three months and maintains its FY2027 target of 330,000 mt of concentrate.

Patagonia Lithium completed a 72-hour pump test at well eight on its Cilon concession, with a flow rate of 2,043 litres/hour and 146,800 litres extracted. Lithium concentration reached 232 ppm at 250m depth. About 34 kg of lithium was pumped, equal to 180 kg of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). In the 24-hour recovery test, the water level returned from 52.4m to the static level of 3.64m. The company identified an aquifer zone of interest between 226m and 324m depth and is updating its mineral resource estimate, with a scoping report to follow. The project is at the exploration stage, and no production timeline has been announced.

On October 2(nd), Eramet is considering a US$350 million brownfield expansion of its Centenario-Ratones lithium project in Argentina, which would add 11,000 mt/y of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) capacity to the existing nameplate capacity of 24,000 mt/y. The investment is subject to a final investment decision (FID), which Eramet says could be made by end 2027, and detailed engineering studies are underway. The project reached 90% of nameplate capacity in June, expects it to reach close to 100% by the end of this year. Eramet plans to apply for inclusion under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI).