Name of the Project
Rincon lithium expansion project.

Location
Salta province, Argentina.

Project Owner/s
Global mining company Rio Tinto.

Project Description
The project comprises brine extraction using a production wellfield, processing and waste facilities, as well as associated infrastructure. 

The project uses direct lithium extraction technology, a process that supports water conservation, reduces waste and produces lithium carbonate more consistently than other methods. It also entails expanding Rincon’s capacity to 60 000 t/y of battery-grade lithium carbonate, and includes a 3 000 t starter plant and a 57 000 t expansion plant. 

Rincon’s mine life is expected to be 40 years.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not disclosed.

Capital Expenditure
$2.5-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction of the expanded plant is scheduled to start in mid-2025, subject to permitting. First production is expected in 2028, followed by a three-year ramp-up to full production.

Latest Developments
ASX-listed Clean TeQ Water has been awarded a $12.5-million (A$19.2-million) contract by Rincon Mining.

The contract covers the engineering design, procurement and supply of a lithium concentrate softening plant that will use the company’s proprietary CLEAN-IX Moving Bed Ion Exchange, or MBIX, technology.

The award represents Clean TeQ's first major project in South America. Delivery will be undertaken over a three-year schedule, aligned with large-scale industrial installation timelines.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Clean TeQ Water (engineering design, procurement and supply of a lithium concentrate softening plant).

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto, email mediaenquiries@riotinto.com.