Rio Tinto has approved an earmark of $2.5 billion to expand the capacity of its Rincon lithium project in Argentina to 60,000 tonnes per year. Rincon is the company’s first commercial-scale lithium operation; that capacity is comprised of the 3,000-tonne starter plant and 57,000-tonne expansion plant. Rincon’s mine life is expected to be 40 years, with construction of the expanded…
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Latin Metals has received a key permit to begin exploration activities at the Esperanza copper-gold project in San Juan Province, Argentina. “Securing this exploration permit is a pivotal moment for the Esperanza project, reaffirming the strong support from local authorities for advancing exploration in the region. With this permit in hand, the project is now positioned to unlock the significant…
Read MoreBase metals miner Lundin is reportedly in discussions with Japanese trading houses and large miners to turn over between a 40% and 50% stake in its Josemaria copper-gold operation in Argentina. CEO Jack Lundin said in a Reuters interview that it is conducting risk analysis before finalizing plans with its strategic partners for Josemaria’s development. The executive, who was just…
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Australian-based Galan Lithium has commenced full phase 1 pond construction at its flagship Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Catamarca Province, Argentina, with the goal to deliver lithium chloride production in the first half of 2025. The first milestone is to build, line and fill with brine the first pond of the system by Q1 2024. The pond…
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Cerrado Gold has poured its first gold from its new heap leach gold production project at the Las Calandrias area in Argentina. Mining and stacking operations are at planned capacity, and gold production is expected to steadily increase as the retention period for the stacked ore is reached, allowing the project to reach design capacity during the third quarter of…
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Canadian-headquartered miner Lithium Americas has reported two separate fatal accidents at its Caucharí-Olaroz lithium project in Jujuy, Argentina on 23 October. The company, which did not identify the names or job titles of those involved, said the incidents occurred at the work camp and appear to be unrelated to one another. Additionally, neither were connected to the ongoing development activities…
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Mineral exploration company Southern Cross Britannia said it has completed the first stage of its exploration program in northwest Argentina. For the past year, the London-based company has explored and matured a highly prospective exploration portfolio consisting of around 50 licenses spread over five different prospect areas covering 100,000 hectares in the Salta province. For its flagship project, Copper One,…
Read MoreGlobal miner Gold Fields has agreed to acquire Canadian-based Yamana Gold in an all-share deal that values the latter at US$6.7 billion. The transaction will make Gold Fields a top-four global gold major. Gold Fields said the acquisition significantly strengthens its ability to deliver on its three strategic pillars: maximizing asset potential, advancing ESG commitment, and growing the value and…
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