Deal #7843 Version #87208

The exploration phase began in 2010 but the company acquired the mining rights in 2014.

The company began exploration of the lithium resources at the Centenario and Ratones salt flats in 2010. In 2014, it acquired the mining rights covering the 500km2 lithium deposit, but it was not until 2016 that Eramet Research carried out a pre-industrial pilot program.

The company began exploration of the lithium resources at the Centenario and Ratones salt flats in 2010. After obtaining the concession and the mining rights in 2014, the mining licence was granted in 2019 following the approval of the Environmental and societal impact study.

Since the conditions for the launch were not met, and with the sanitary crisis, the Group revised its investment strategy. The Eramet board of directors decided not to engage in the construction of its lithium production plant. The pilot plant is continuing its activity in order to collect the results of the process. This deposit remains a good asset with strong potential for the Group in the years to come. All arrangements will be made, especially for local communities and suppliers, in order to allow for a monitoring and a restart in the best conditions when it will be possible.