SAL DE ORO LITHIUM PROJECT
COMPANY Posco
DATE 2025-2026
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT US $1.6 B
PROJECT STAGE Under Construction Phase 2
CAPACITY 23.000 tons/year
LOCATION Salta-Cajamarca
The Sal de Oro lithium project is moving forward with significant financial backing. POSCO recently obtained a US$668 million loan to advance its second phase, which aims to produce 23,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate starting in the summer of 2025. By 2026, POSCO aims to reach a total production capacity of 100,000 tons per year of both lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. The project is expected to produce 23,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate from mid-2025.
PPG-POZUELOS-PASTOS GRANDES
COMPANY Ganfeng Lithium
DATE 2025
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT US $926 M
PROJECT STAGE Engineering Development
CAPACITY 25.000 tons/year
LOCATION Salta
The Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes lithium project, managed by Lithium Argentina and Ganfeng Lithium, is moving forward with a major investment and development strategy. Ganfeng has acquired a 14.9% interest in the project, facilitating a regional development plan for the Pastos Grandes basin. The project is moving towards production, with estimates suggesting it could begin operations between 2024 and 2025. This timeline follows a threeyear ramp-up period after the start of construction. A positive mineral resource update has been completed, indicating strong potential for future lithium extraction and production enhancements.
RINCÓN LITHIUM PROJECT
COMPANY Argosy Minerals
DATE 2025
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT US $350 M
PROJECT STAGE Under Construction
CAPACITY 2.000 tons/year
LOCATION Salta
The Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes lithium project, managed by Lithium Argentina and Ganfeng Lithium, is moving forward with a major investment and development strategy. Ganfeng has acquired a 14.9% interest in the project, facilitating a regional development plan for the Pastos Grandes basin. The project is moving towards production, with estimates suggesting it could begin operations between 2024 and 2025. This timeline follows a threeyear ramp-up period after the start of construction. A positive mineral resource update has been completed, indicating strong potential for future lithium extraction and production enhancements.
BLANCO PROJECT
COMPANY Codelco
DATE 2025
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT US $700 M
PROJECT STAGE Modeling
CAPACITY 20.000 tons of lithium carbonate per year and 58.000 tons of potassium chloride per year
LOCATION Atacama
The Blanco Project, in Salar de Maricunga, Chile, is a major lithium initiative led by Minera Salar Blanco (Lithium Power International subsidiary). With a $700M investment, the project was acquired by CODELCO in 2024 as part of Chile’s strategy to enhance lithium production. All major studies are complete, regulatory approvals are secured, and indigenous consultations are underway. Construction is set to begin soon, aiming to meet rising global EV battery demand.
FALCHANI, STAGE 1
COMPANY Americal Lithium – Macusani Yellowcake
DATE 2025
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT US $1.9 B
PROJECT STAGE Environmental Assessment
CAPACITY 23.000 tons per year (tpa) of lithium carbonate from year 1 to year 7, increasing to 41.000 tpa from year 8 to year 26.
LOCATION Macusani
American Lithium’s Falchani project boasts an after-tax NPV of $5.11B at $22,500/ton lithium price and a 43-year mine life. Producing 2.64M tonnes LCE, the project has 90M tonnes of reserves grading 2,563 ppm lithium. Pilot work begins in late 2024, with improved processes cutting acid consumption by 50%, enhancing economic and environmental performance.
SONORA
COMPANY Ganfeng Lithium Co.
DATE 2025
ESTIMATED INVESTMENT US $1.25 B
PROJECT STAGE On Hold
CAPACITY Stage 1 17.500 tons, Stage 2 35.000 tons
LOCATION Sonora
Located in Sonora, Mexico, the Sonora Lithium Project, operated by Ganfeng Lithium and Bacanora Lithium, has a $1.25B investment. It plans to produce 20,000 tons/year of lithium hydroxide in phase one, with future expansions. The project holds a resource base of 8.8M tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, making it a globally significant initiative amid increasing lithium demand.
