Argosy Minerals Ltd (ASX:AGY) is pumping lithium brine into stage II evaporation ponds at its Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina.
Evaporation during the summer will instigate the lithium brine concentration process.
Brine is being pumped from the first production well with a second well recently completed to a depth of 100 metres.
READ: Argosy Minerals Limited continues to accomplish lithium project development milestones
Rincon is in the Lithium Triangle in Salta Province, which hosts the world’s largest lithium resources.
Argosy now has circa 11 hectares of evaporation ponds, including circa 10 hectares from stage II.
The company is also constructing the stage I pilot plant at its nearby industrial warehouse site.
First production expected soon
Lithium concentrate processing test work will be carried out at the plant during the first quarter of 2018 resulting in production of battery grade lithium carbonate.
Argosy is also undertaking resource exploration diamond drilling.
Six diamond drill holes have been completed, each to a depth of 102.5 metres.
The third production well and the final diamond drill holes are scheduled for January 2018.
READ: Argosy Minerals earns right to expand lithium project
The company has recently decided to purchase the adjoining Mina Tincal tenement.