Ganfeng Lithium Advances $3 Billion Lithium Project in Argentina’s Salta under RIGI Incentive Program

Ganfeng Lithium is pursuing a $3 billion investment in Argentina’s lithium sector through its subsidiary Lithea Inc., in partnership with Lithium Argentina, focusing on the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project located in Salta province’s Salar de Pastos Grandes and Salar de Pozuelos basins. The project is structured to be executed in three stages, with a planned operational lifespan of 25 years and an expected ramp-up period of around three years. The first stage has secured the necessary Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) approval. The company intends to employ a hybrid extraction technology combining traditional brine evaporation with direct lithium extraction (DLE) to enhance recovery rates and reduce environmental impact. This approach reflects growing industry trends toward more efficient and sustainable lithium production methods.

This submission marks Ganfeng’s second attempt to access RIGI benefits after its earlier project, Mariana, was rejected in 2025 by Argentine authorities for failing to meet temporal investment criteria linked to RIGI eligibility. The incorporation of three initiatives under the PPG project streamlines investment and operational plans and is likely to improve chances for government approval.

Ganfeng’s increased engagement in Argentina complements its existing interests, including participation in the Cauchari-Olaroz project in Jujuy province and a lithium chloride production facility inaugurated in Salta’s General Güemes industrial park. The establishment of a regional headquarters in Salta underscores the strategic importance of Argentina within Ganfeng’s Latin American operations.

Argentina’s lithium sector is experiencing intensified investment amid its ambition to become a leading global producer, reinforced by regulatory frameworks like RIGI which incentivize large-scale projects. Industry reports forecast Argentina’s mining exports, including lithium, could increase markedly by 2035, aligning with the rising global demand for battery-critical minerals driven by electric vehicle and energy storage markets.