Name of the Project
Rincon lithium expansion project.

Location
Salta province, Argentina.

Project Owner/s
Argosy Minerals currently has a 77.5% interest in the entity that owns Rincon project – Puna Mining – with the right to increase this to 90% ownership in consideration for funding the 10 000 t/y development.

The mining titles are 100% owned by Puna Mining and/or Argosy has legal, secure, binding and exclusive option rights to complete 100% acquisition of the properties.

Project Description
The Rincon lithium expansion project is being developed in stages. 

Stage 1, an industrial-scale pilot plant, has already produced more than 30 t of high-purity, battery-grade lithium carbonate. 

Stage 2 involved the construction of a 2 000 t/y lithium carbonate operation. 

Stage 3 is targeting the development of a 12 000 t/y lithium carbonate operation. 

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
The Salta Electricity Distribution Company SA (EDESA), the leading provider of electricity distribution in Salta province, has completed detailed engineering and feasibility works on the medium-voltage line (MVL) project for the development of energy infrastructure capable of supplying up to 40 MW of energy to the project.

EDESA has finalised the comprehensive design and feasibility works, confirming the MVL project’s capacity to deliver a reliable 33 kV power connection to the project from the Argentina National Power Grid. The estimated 8.6km transmission line will connect through a local substation to the project site.

The next phase of works for the MVL project comprises a competitive tender process to bid for the electric transmission line and associated transformer station construction works from reputable contractors. Provisional cost estimates and delivery schedules completed by EDESA will be further defined as part of this process.

Argosy has further indicated that securing access to national grid power represents a critical milestone for the Rincon project development, materially derisking and progressing the feasibility works while improving operational reliability, project economic viability and environmental performance

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

Contact Details for Project Information
Argosy Minerals, email admin@argosyminerals.com.au.