Olaroz
Jujuy Province, Argentina
Highlights
Battery and Technical
Product Quality
16.7ktpa
FY23 Record Annual Production
42.5ktpa
Long term annual target
+40 years
Project life
22.6 Mt LCE
Mineral Resource (100% basis)
Allkem’s flagship brine-based lithium facility is based in Northern Argentina and supplies high-quality lithium chemicals across the globe. Expansion of this facility is positioning Olaroz as one of the world’s largest lithium evaporation pond systems.
Overview
The Olaroz Lithium Facility sits 3,900 metres above sea level in the Jujuy Province of Northern Argentina, where it has been producing high-grade lithium carbonate since 2014.
The Olaroz Lithium Facility sits 3,900 metres above sea level in the Jujuy Province of Northern Argentina, where it has been producing high-grade lithium carbonate since 2014.
The Salar de Olaroz hosts a high-quality, long-life resource capable of sustaining production for over 40 years.
After seven years of planning, developing, construction and commissioning, the first sale of lithium carbonate occurred in late April 2015.
Operations and processing techniques are sustainable and utilise industry leading innovation and technology to extract lithium brine from beneath the surface at competitive costs.
High lithium recoveries, utilisation of solar energy, zero liquid discharge, minimal waste and no impact on fresh water supports a very low environmental footprint.
The facility is supported by favourable operating conditions and local infrastructure with very limited rainfall combined with dry, windy conditions which enhances the brine-evaporation process.
Olaroz is also supported by a gas pipeline, high voltage electricity and paved highways, with three major seaports - Buenos Aires in Argentina and Antofagasta and Iquique in Chile - easily accessible by road and/or rail.
The facility is managed by Sales de Jujuy S.A. (SDJ) which is a joint venture built in partnership with Japanese trading giant Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) and JEMSE (a mining investment company owned by the provincial government of Jujuy, Argentina).
Technical grade lithium carbonate and battery grade lithium carbonate (>99.5% Li₂CO₃) are produced at the facility and sold to a diverse customer base in Asia, Europe and North America.
The main markets for technical grade product are ceramics and glass sectors, and lithium hydroxide chemical production predominantly used in battery cathode manufacturing.
Battery grade lithium carbonate (>99.0% Li₂CO₃) is typically sold directly to cathode and electrolyte manufacturers for the production of lithium-ion batteries used in EVs.
Stage 2 and 3 Expansion
The Olaroz Lithium Facility was originally designed to allow for future developments and/or expansion plans to occur in line with market demand.
Stage 2 comprises a primary lithium carbonate production circuit designed to deliver an additional 25,000 tonnes per year of technical grade lithium carbonate.
Approximately 9,500 tonnes of the new production output is expected to be utilised as feedstock for the Naraha Lithium Hydroxide Plant.
The Cauchari Mineral Resource, located adjacent to the southern boundary of the Olaroz Lithium Facility, has similar brine characteristics and provides additional optionality when considering a potential Stage 3 expansion.
The combined Olaroz and Cauchari Resource is 28.6 Mt LCE, making it one of the largest brine resources in the world.
