Emirati Company Pledges $550 Million Investment in Argentine Lithium Venture

United Mining Projects Corporation (UMPC), an engineering company based in the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled a substantial investment plan amounting to $550 million over a span of four years in Argentina's northwestern Catamarca province. This significant financial commitment is channeled through UMPC's subsidiary, Marhen Lithium.

In a press release, UMPC disclosed that following two years of intricate negotiations between the Catamarca government and a consortium comprising several foreign companies, an agreement has been reached to commence exploration and development activities at the Rio Grande Sur lithium brine salar project. Rio Grande Sur, spanning an impressive 9,000 hectares, is strategically located in the northwest region of Catamarca.

The $550 million investment package is earmarked for various purposes, primarily focusing on the construction of mine infrastructure, lithium extraction, and subsequent processing activities. The project's development trajectory anticipates the creation of approximately 700 job opportunities during the construction phase, with an additional 200 positions expected to be sustained throughout the production phase. This initiative is forecasted to inject a substantial $168 million into the local economy, thereby fostering economic growth and development within the region.

Catamarca holds the distinction of being Argentina's premier lithium-producing province, boasting an annual output of 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). It serves as the epicenter for the majority of the country's lithium exploration ventures. Adjacent provinces, Salta and Jujuy, also boast significant reserves of this critical battery metal. Collectively, these provinces constitute the Lithium Triangle, a regional government-led initiative aimed at standardizing policies pertaining to sustainable lithium extraction and processing practices.

Annually, Argentina contributes 34,000 tonnes of LCE to global production, securing its place as the fourth-largest producer globally, following Australia, Chile, and China. Notably, in 2023, exports surged to over $500 million, marking an impressive year-on-year growth rate of 84%.

Looking ahead, the Argentine lithium sector is poised for further expansion and development. Over the next two years, five lithium projects, currently in various stages of construction across Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca, are slated to commence production. Additionally, there are an additional 30 advanced exploration initiatives in the pipeline, poised to contribute to the nation's lithium production capacity in the medium to long term.

Argentina's strategic geographical positioning, coupled with its membership in the Lithium Triangle alongside Chile and Bolivia, positions the nation as a pivotal player in the global lithium supply chain. This unique geological landscape, characterized by high-altitude terrains adorned with expansive lakes and pristine salt flats, hosts more than half of the world's identified lithium resources. This collective abundance solidifies Argentina's standing as a key driver of the burgeoning lithium market, poised to meet the escalating global demand for this indispensable battery metal.