Lithium Argentina advances phased expansion following $1 billion scoping study

Lithium Argentina ($LAR) published a scoping study for an additional 45,000 tonnes a year of lithium carbonate capacity at Cauchari-Olaroz. The study estimates approximately $1 billion of capital spending and a $3.1 billion after-tax net present value using an 8% discount rate and an $18,000-per-tonne lithium price. Those figures represent the whole project, not the company’s attributable ownership share.

The company is also advancing a faster, initial 10,000-tonne module using adsorption-based direct extraction, targeting first production within two years. That phased approach is not incorporated in the study’s economic model. Argentine permits and Chinese technology-export authorization remain outstanding. The proposals could substantially increase output from existing infrastructure, but the study is preliminary, returns depend on price assumptions, and neither the additional capacity nor projected value has been realized.

Sources:

• Company release via GlobeNewswire