The company, part of the French group Eramet, announced this Thursday that it had completed the first export of lithium carbonate produced in Salta province, a key input in the global energy transition. Last July, the company inaugurated its plant in Salta in the presence of Governor Gustavo Sáenz, making it the first of its kind in the region and establishing itself as the fourth project in Argentina to reach production status, following Fénix, Olaroz, and Caucharí-Olaroz.
By Panorama Minero
This initial shipment, consisting of 40 tons, departed from the Centenario-Ratones Salt Flat and traveled 1,580 km to the Port of Rosario, solidifying a highly precise logistics operation and officially positioning Salta as a lithium carbonate-exporting province.
“This achievement represents a turning point for our company and for the province of Salta. We continue to move forward with a sustainable industrial model, based on high safety standards and cutting-edge technology,” said Alejandro Moro, CEO of Eramine, following the announcement.
Located at 4,000 meters above sea level in the Los Andes department, the Centenario-Ratones project is one of the most significant investments in Argentina’s lithium industry, with US$870 million allocated for this first phase, which is expected to reach a commercial scale of 24,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate. Its production, based on brine extraction from the salt flat itself, is intended for the international market, contributing to the global supply of strategic minerals at a critical time for the mining industry.
To ensure logistics security and traceability, each transport unit is equipped with a real-time monitoring system, guaranteeing operational efficiency and compliance with the highest safety standards required for lithium chemical transport.
"With this first export, Eramine reaffirms its commitment to the sustainable development of Argentina’s lithium industry, promoting innovation, sustainability, and the country’s integration into the global value chain of strategic minerals," the company added regarding the milestone.
Beyond its productive impact, the project has significantly boosted employment generation, both direct and indirect, with a strong presence of local workforce from Salta, further strengthening its contribution to the regional economy. During the peak construction phase, the project employed up to 3,000 workers. According to Governor Sáenz, "With the construction phase completed, more than 1,500 people are now part of the Eramine family, of which 80% are Salta-based employees."
The Eramine plant stands out for its direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, a growing method that differs from traditional evaporation pond production, used by various large-scale operations across the Lithium Triangle. According to the company, this process "achieves over 90% efficiency and reduces production times to just one week."
Additionally, Eramine emphasized that "this technology represents a significant advancement over conventional brine evaporation methods, whose efficiency does not exceed 50%." The company considers DLE a breakthrough in innovation, natural resource optimization, and environmental sustainability—key pillars of modern mining.
