Argentina plans lithium capacity expansion of 342,000 tonnes

Argentina is preparing for a significant expansion in lithium production, with the potential to increase capacity by 342,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) over the next decade. According to a study by the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA), in collaboration with the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAEM) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), this growth will be driven by a portfolio of 12 advanced projects, including new operations and expansions of existing ones.

Currently, Argentina has seven active lithium operations with an installed capacity of 200,770 tonnes of LCE per year. However, effective production remains below this ceiling as several recently inaugurated plants undergo expansion and operational adjustments. For 2025, production is estimated to be around 115,000 tonnes of LCE, representing approximately 57% of the country's installed capacity. Projections suggest that by 2035, effective production will average around 70% of installed capacity.