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| Pursuit Minerals |
Salta Project Advances Toward 5,000 t/yr Lithium Carbonate Production
Pursuit Minerals has achieved a major milestone at its Argentina pilot facility, producing lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at 98.9% purity. The Australian firm extracted high-purity LCE from synthetic brine that simulates chemistry from the Rio Grande Sur salt flat in Salta province. This technical success confirms the viability of Pursuit’s synthetic brine processing approach.
Synthetic Brine Strategy Targets Battery-Grade Purity
The pilot plant, designed for 250 t/yr capacity, has yielded several kilograms of high-purity LCE. These samples will be distributed to strategic partners for evaluation, supporting offtake negotiations and technology benchmarking. Pursuit is now focused on refining its process to meet battery-grade LCE purity of 99.9%—a requirement for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage markets.
In contrast to conventional pond-based methods, synthetic brine enables more controlled and potentially faster lithium extraction. As a result, Pursuit’s innovation could reduce environmental risks and offer more scalable production pathways in the lithium triangle.
Feasibility Study for Commercial Plant Underway in Lithium Triangle
With pilot validation complete, Pursuit is initiating a feasibility study for a commercial-scale LCE plant targeting 5,000 t/yr output. The facility will be located near Rio Tinto’s Rincón project—an emerging lithium hub in northwestern Argentina. This location allows for potential infrastructure synergies and enhances market visibility.
Argentina’s growing role in global lithium supply, particularly from Salta and Catamarca provinces, is drawing strong interest from international battery and automotive companies. Pursuit’s success positions it as a competitive player in a region central to the future of clean energy.
ScrapInsight Editorial Commentary
Pursuit’s move toward synthetic brine production marks a promising evolution in lithium extraction. With growing EV demand and a push for cleaner, faster processes, scalable synthetic solutions may challenge traditional evaporation-based methods. As this technology matures, policy incentives and ESG compliance will determine its long-term competitiveness.
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