Argentina Exports More Than $233 Million in Lithium

Argentina’s lithium exports reached $233 million in the first three months of this year, a notable 133% increase over the same period last year, according to a report issued by the mining secretary on Tuesday. With a noteworthy 93% rise in sales compared to March 2022, March proved to be a very successful month for the export of this white metal, with total sales reaching $91 million.

Actually, it made for 27% of Argentina’s total mining exports last month. China and Japan accounted for 31% of the total imports of Argentine lithium in the first quarter of this year, followed by the United States at 13% and South Korea at 12%, according to the mining secretary of Argentina

Only two of the 38 active lithium projects in the nation are actively producing: the Fenix mine in the Catamarca province, which is controlled by Livent Corporation of the United States, and the Salar de Olaroz mine in the Jujuy province, which is mostly held by Allkem Ltd. of Australia.

Argentina, which is well-known for its agricultural prowess, has been luring international mining companies to invest in lithium by providing security guarantees and tax breaks. Ganfeng Lithium Co. is one of the foreign businesses mining in Argentina in addition to Allkem Ltd. and Livent. Lithium Americas from Canada, Eramet from France, Pluspetrol Resources from the Netherlands, Rio Tinto Group from the United Kingdom and Australia, and Ltd. from China.

Along with Bolivia and Chile, Argentina is the fourth-biggest producer of lithium worldwide and is a member of the “lithium triangle,” which is made up of the world’s largest lithium reserves.