Rio Tinto unveils initial resources and reserves for Rincon
Diversified mining company Rio Tinto on Wednesday announced initial mineral resources and ore reserves for its Salar del Rincon lithium brine deposits in Argentina.
The initial mineral resources at the site include 1.54-million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in measured resources, 7.85-million tonnes LCE in indicated resources, and 2.29-million tonnes LCE in inferred resources.
Further, the ore reserves consist of 2.07-milion tonnes LCE in probable ore reserves.
Rio Tinto holds 100% ownership of the project.
Located in the Salta province of northern Argentina, the Rincon project will involve brine extraction from a production wellfield, with the lithium brine being processed at an on-site facility. The project will also include waste management facilities and necessary infrastructure to support full-scale production.
According to Rio Tinto, the current feasibility study estimates that the full-scale operation will produce around 53 000 t/y of battery-grade lithium carbonate for an expected 40-year lifespan. However, the company plans to expand the production capacity to 60 000 t/y through future debottlenecking and improvement programmes, subject to the necessary permits.
The Rincon 3000 starter plant is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2025 and will serve as the foundation for future scaling of the project. With its large, long-life resource base, the Rincon project is expected to be one of the lowest-cost producers in the lithium sector, positioned in the first quartile of the cash cost curve.
The project is a key part of Rio Tinto’s strategy to secure a sustainable supply of essential minerals needed for the growing electric vehicle (EV) market and the broader transition to clean energy technologies. Lithium, a critical component in EV batteries, has become a focal point for mining companies looking to meet the rapidly increasing demand from the global shift toward electrification.
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