Argentina’s lithium exports set an all-time record in the first quarter of this year.
During the period, foreign sales of the so-called white gold reached US$233 million, representing 133% year-on-year growth and an unprecedented level for the beginning of the year.
Argentine lithium exports reached a total value of US$91 million in March, up 93% year-on-year and marking the historic record for exports for the month.
Thus, lithium exports accounted for 27% of total mining activity.
Export volumes of this mineral increased by 3.5% year-on-year in March, while year-to-date they increased by 22.9%.
The Minister of Mines, Fernanda Ávila, stressed that “mining will allow diversification of the country’s productive matrix, so as not to depend on only one sector, making the activity a development pillar.
“Argentina consolidates its position as an important global player in the transition to clean energy context,” she said.
The quarter’s production level comes from two projects in production: Fénix in Catamarca and Olaroz in Jujuy.
If Argentina maintains this pace and the six projects under construction come on line, production capacity will exceed 200,000 tonnes by 2025.