Lithium Argentina AG announced the results of the Scoping Study for the Pozuelos - Pastos Grandes lithium brine project located in Salta Province.
By Panorama Minero
PPG integrates three projects owned by Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd and Lithium Argentina into a single development platform in the Pozuelos and Pastos Grandes basins. Upon closing of the new joint venture, Ganfeng and Lithium Argentina will own 67% and 33% of PPG, respectively.
Lithium Argentina and Ganfeng announced that on Friday November 7, 2025, the Secretariat of Mining and Energy of the Province of Salta, has issued the Environmental Impact Statement, Declaración de Impacto Ambiental, for Stage 1 of the PPG Project.
Highlights include:
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Scalable platform: Production capacity of approximately 150,000 tpa of LCE in three stages of 50,000 tpa of LCE each with a 30-year project life.
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Globally significant resource: 15.1 Mt LCE measured and indicated resource across consolidated basins, placing PPG among one of the largest undeveloped lithium brine resources.
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Hybrid processing approach: Uses hybrid solar evaporation and Direct Lithium Extraction process designed to improve efficiency and reduce freshwater use.
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Low-cost profile: Operating cash cost of $5,027/t with an all-in sustaining cost of $5,351/t over project life.
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Competitive capital cost: Stage 1 initial capital cost estimated at $1.1 billion (including 16% contingency). Total capital cost of $3.3 billion over life of project.
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Compelling economics: At $18,000/t lithium carbonate, after-tax NPV8% of $8.1 billion and IRR of 33%; even at $12,000/t, PPG has an IRR of 21%.
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Proven partnership: Combines Ganfeng’s processing expertise with Lithium Argentina’s upstream experience and in-country team with track record of developing nearby Cauchari-Olaroz.
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Financing pathway: Jointly advancing financing process considering debt, offtake and minority equity investments.
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Stage 1 permitted: DIA approval Stage 1 received; RIGI application targeted for H1 2026.
Sam Pigott, President and CEO of Lithium Argentina, commented: “Together with Ganfeng, we are building on the success of Cauchari-Olaroz to advance Argentina’s next major lithium operation. PPG represents a continuation of our proven partnership - combining disciplined execution, technical excellence and next-generation processing technology designed to enhance efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
We are very pleased to have received environmental approval for Stage 1 from the Salta government, following a 14-month, rigorous review that reinforces our focus on sustainability and adoption of new processing technologies. With strong support from the Province of Salta and the federal government’s RIGI investment regime, PPG highlights our contribution to Argentina’s growing role in advancing a diversified and competitive global supply chain for lithium chemicals that enable electric mobility and large-scale energy storage.”
