Mine & Plant

A mine with a very low impact on nature

We mine using an innovative process. The first step consists in pumping the brine – a natural salty solution ten times more concentrated than seawater – in 400-meter-deep wells. The 20 wells have a very limited footprint with small holes of 25 centimetres of diameter.

After the underground brine containing the lithium is pumped, it is transported to the production plant through pipelines.

15 million tons of LCE resources

Resources: 15 millions tons of LCE

In 2020, Eramet obtained certification of compliance with the JORC Code (Joint Ore Reserves Committee): the mineral resources of the Centenario-Ratones salar are estimated at approximately 5,000 million cubic meters of brine with an average lithium content of 407 mg/l, the equivalent of approximately 15 million tons of LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent).

A processing plant with a unique DLE technology

Once the brine reaches the processing plant, it goes through different stages. The most important one is the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) unit developed by Eramet Ideas: an aluminum-based sponge captures the lithium contained in the brine, with a recovery rate of 90%. Unlike other lithium projects, we do not use evaporation ponds, which allows us to maximize the efficiency of resources use and processing times, achieving in just 7 days what others complete in 18 months.

The plant and its facilities have been designed with a low footprint. It is a fully automated plant with state-of-the-art technologies that include 30,000 automation devices (sensors, motors, valves, …), including 6,000 instruments and sensors measuring and reporting process activities in real time.

The plant works with a continuous production process, running 24/7.

Powered by Argentinian Argentina’s highest Combined Heat and Power

We have invested in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) with 4 Genset of 7MW. This is the highest CHP in Argentina. To get enough gas to our plant, we have also built a gas compression plant, located 320 km away for logistical reasons.

The gas motor produces the electricity and the exhaust gases are used to co-generate steam and hot water that goes into the process.

This is how we make the best use of the energy content of the gas. The overall efficiency is very high: the power plant will reach 80% at full capacity (compared to 37% for a combustion engine).

We also have a photovoltaic power plant (300 kWh) which has been in operation for a while. It covers part of our basecamp and Training Center’s energy needs.

A clean and innovative technology

Developed by Eramet and Eramine teams at Eramet Ideas, the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology obtained 12 patents. It took 10 years of R&D and 5 years of testing. Final tests were made in situ, at the pilot plant, which we shipped and transported from France to la Puna. Our technology’s main achievements include:

A lithium recovery rate of more than 90% at the DLE stage
A processing time to get lithium carbonate of just 7 days
A water recycling rate of 60%

A state-of-the-art control room

All the production and operation processes of the Eramine plant, from brine pumping to carbonate lithium extraction, are supervised, coordinated and managed from the control room using complex systems that allow the team to monitor each parameter of the process in real time. The aim is to identify and quickly respond to any anomaly or emergency, minimizing operational risks and ensuring that the plant works according to the corresponding quality, safety and sustainability standards.