Argosy Minerals Limited (ASX:AGY) continues to scale-up its Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina towards commercial status with the construction of an additional 9-hectare evaporation pond.
As part of stage II development, the additional pond has been constructed and lined.
Pumping of lithium brine into the new pond is underway coinciding with the start of the peak summer solar evaporation season.
READ: Argosy Minerals produces battery-grade lithium carbonate from Argentine project, shares surge
The pond complements the existing operational stage II ponds which occupy around 10 hectares.
Argosy now has about 19 hectares of stage II ponds in operation for concentrating lithium brine.
Lithium brine pumping into the new evaporation pond.
The company’s managing director Jerko Zuvela said, “Argosy continues its rapid progress and
aggressive development strategy, confirming the commitment to scaling the project to the next commercial stages.
“Our early-mover proof of concept and fast-track production strategy is realising enormous interest and potential long-term benefits for the company given the strong demand in the international marketplace.
“This comes as we continue building a sustainable battery-grade lithium production company.”
Further pond work
In addition, evaporation pond construction works are continuing for another evaporation pond of around 9-hectares, which is targeted for completion in mid to late September.
Following this a number of smaller evaporation ponds, totalling around 8-hectares, will be constructed.
These will be utilised for filtering the concentrating lithium brine.
Brine for use in pilot plant
Upon completion of the full stage II pond construction works, a combined total of around 36 hectares of lithium brine evaporation ponds are planned to be operational.
These will provide concentrated lithium brine for use in the company’s working stage I pilot plant and planned stage II processing plant to produce lithium carbonate product.
READ: Argosy Minerals reveals maiden lithium resource at Rincon
The Rincon project is within the world-renowned ‘Lithium Triangle’ in Argentina’s Salta Province, host to the world’s largest lithium resources.
An initial JORC-compliant resource of 207,957 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) has been estimated within the brine aquifers of the Rincon project.
Argosy is committed to building a sustainable lithium production company, highly leveraged to the forecast growth in the lithium-ion battery sector.