The province of Salta has issued the Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) for one of Rio Tinto’s strategic developments in Argentina. The Rincón Lithium project is now cleared to move into its production phase following a thorough technical, legal, and participatory review led by the provincial Secretariat of Mining and Energy.
By Panorama Minero
Salta’s Secretariat of Mining and Energy has granted the Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) to Rincón Mining Pty Limited, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, authorizing the start of brine extraction and the production of up to 50,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually at the Rincón Salar. This milestone enables the project to enter its operational phase under Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), positioning Salta as the province with the highest number of lithium projects approved for production nationwide.
The approval followed an interdisciplinary evaluation process involving key technical and environmental agencies, including the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Secretariat of Water Resources, the General Directorate of Mining, the Secretariat of Indigenous Affairs, and other government bodies. The review covered both technical and social aspects and included mandatory legal and public participation procedures.
Among those was the Free, Prior and Informed Consultation with local communities, along with a Public Hearing held on July 29 in Olacapato, where residents, organizations, and institutions voiced their opinions and concerns about the project. These participatory processes were essential in assessing the project’s environmental and social viability.
The DIA stipulates that the company must fully comply with all technical obligations and applicable environmental, water, and mining regulations outlined in the approved impact report. It also includes specific provisions for environmental monitoring and enforcement throughout the operational phase.
Rio Tinto’s decision to move forward with the Rincón project—despite current low global lithium prices—reflects a long-term strategic outlook grounded in legal stability, institutional quality, and Salta’s competitive advantages in infrastructure, logistics, and workforce development.
With this new approval, Salta now hosts four of the seven lithium projects cleared for production in Argentina, reinforcing its role as a strategic hub for the global energy transition. Lithium continues to emerge as a key driver of investment, employment, and regional development within the South American Lithium Triangle.
