Pursuit takes off on lithium carbonate pilot plant production

• Pursuit Minerals finishes commissioning its 250tpa pilot plant
• This represents a major step in proving the viability of scalable, commercial production
• Lithium prices show signs of a rebound to align with PUR’s counter-cyclical strategy

Special Report: Pursuit Minerals has commissioned the pilot plant and begun lithium carbonate production as it prepares a commercial-scale runway for its Rio Grande Sur project in Argentina.

With hydrostatic circuit testing and all other commissioning activities done, Pursuit Minerals (ASX:PUR) believed it had ensured seamless operational readiness to produce using synthetic evaporated brine chemically identical to the real thing.

Processing parameters have been optimised to enhance recovery rates, improve purity, and validate process flows so PUR can scale up and maintain continuous production with a robust operational framework now in place.

Pursuit managing director and CEO Aaron Revelle said it was a landmark achievement.

“Successfully commissioning and initiating lithium carbonate production represents a major step forward in de-risking our processing methodology and proving the commercial viability of our scalable production strategy,” Revelle noted.

“With global lithium demand continuing to show signs of recovery over the coming years, we are now firmly positioned to transition toward large-scale, low-cost lithium production.”

Pursuit’s first output will include technical-grade product, with further advancements targeted for battery-grade carbonate in subsequent phases in preparation for commercial production.

To that end, Pursuit can now prepare to relocate a 250tpa plant to the Rio Grande Sur site, advance feasibility studies for a scalable production strategy, and engage potential off-take partners – some of whom have already requested their sample.

Counter-commodities

Pursuit has been afforded a rare counter-cyclical strategy for a junior, believing its production will align well with global lithium demand.

While many of its peers abandoned the sector through price falls, shuttered developments and inactive exploration can quickly turn the wheels back toward shortfall.

Pursuit is in a great neighbourhood in revived Tier 1 jurisdiction Argentina, with Rio Tinto’s plans for a 60,000tpa, US$2.5b lithium carbonate operation looming as a hub for the region’s topflight projects following Rio’s successful completion of Arcadium Lithium acquisition overnight which boasts 2 producing lithium mines in Argentina which will now become Rio Tinto Lithium and will also include the Ricon lithium project.

Argentina has seen an influx of investment since Javier Milei took over the presidency with Rio and BHP spending over US$10b on various investments in the country over the past year.

A 339% resource increase late last year put Pursuit squarely on the Argentine map, with the company believing it now commands attention from the major miners (and briners) looking for a significant lithium investment.

Prices have shown signs of revival in quarterly reports from the big boys, and Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) has said it is unwilling to shutter more operations and lose staff with strong operational knowledge.

This article was developed in collaboration with Pursuit Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.