Catamarca celebrates inauguration of lithium plants worth USD 2 billion

Catamarca is at the center of mining activity in October, with the inauguration of four plants dedicated to lithium production. This month, the province, part of the Lithium Triangle, will see the launch of projects that together represent an investment of approximately USD 2 billion.

The opening ceremonies are led by Governor Raúl Jalil, who highlighted the importance of these investments on his social media accounts, underscoring support from the regulatory framework known as RIGI. This system has enabled Catamarca to attract significant capital to strengthen its role in the energy transition.

The first of these plants, belonging to the Sal de Oro project by South Korean miner Posco, began operations on October 6. This new facility has an annual production capacity of 23,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate, key for battery functioning and energy storage.

Featured projects in Catamarca

• Sal de Vida: new plant with 15,000 tonnes annual capacity.

• Fénix 1B Expansion: will raise production to 38,000 tonnes annually.

• Hombre Muerto Oeste: inauguration scheduled for October with 5,000 tonnes annually.

Galan Lithium, for its part, has confirmed its commitment to the region by signing an agreement to contribute to the Mining Royalties Trust Fund, earmarked for road works in the province. With these developments, Catamarca not only increases its production capacity but also generates benefits for the local economy.

Furthermore, the RIGI regime has driven a significant increase in mining investments in the region, reaching an approved total of USD 25.230 billion. This includes various mining projects beyond lithium, reinforcing the importance of mining to Catamarca's and Argentina's overall economies.