Pursuit yields lithium carbonate in first pilot plant run

• Pursuit Minerals’ pilot plant produces lithium carbonate 
• 98.9% LCE produced, with plans to optimise and upgrade product purity to battery-grade 99.95%
• The company says it is now a serious contender in the global lithium supply chain 

Special report: Pursuit Minerals has distinguished itself among a limited group of ASX-listed lithium processors following first lithium carbonate production at its 250tpa pilot plant in Salta, Argentina. 

Synthetic brine formulated to replicate the chemistry of evaporated brines from the Rio Grande Sur project is being processed at the plant to produce high-purity lithium carbonate, marking a major milestone in Pursuit’s lithium development strategy. 

The company successfully produced 98.9% lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), validating the process design and brine compatibility for conventional scalable processing. 

Pursuit Minerals (ASX:PUR) is now focusing on refining product purity through the evaluation and optimisation of additional circuit components.

It plans to achieve battery-grade specifications of 99.5% LCE with the first several kilograms of high-purity lithium carbonate produced at the pilot plant to be distributed to select interested parties. 

These samples will support ongoing product qualification and are expected to play a key role in progressing offtake discussions for the long-term supply of lithium carbonate from the Rio Grande Sur. 

Unlocking project value 

In line with the pilot plant advancement, PUR is forging ahead with offtake discussions and feasibility studies to further unlock project value. 

The project’s resource lifted by 339% last year to 1.104Mt LCE at an average lithium concentration of 505.8mg/I Li across indicated and inferred categories, which caught the eye of investors following lithium in Argentina since the election of President Javier Milei. 

During his campaign, Milei promised to free Argentines from the “oppression” of the state and presented sweeping reforms including steps to facilitate exports, end price controls and privatise companies in a bid to kick-start the process of economic de-regulation.

Argentina’s mining and resources sector is amongst the beneficiaries with the provisions including customs and foreign exchange incentives to encourage investment in the country. 

‘Defining moment’ 

“This is an outstanding milestone for Pursuit and a defining moment in the evolution of our Rio Grande Sur project,” PUR managing director and CEO Aaron Revelle said. 

“Successfully producing high-purity lithium carbonate places us among a very select group of ASX-listed companies to have achieved this level of technical and operational execution. 

“It is a clear validation of our flowsheet, our team and our strategy to deliver scalable, cost-effective lithium production,” he said. 

“With this achievement, we’ve taken a major step forward in unlocking long-term value and positioning Pursuit as a serious contender in the global lithium supply chain.”

Listen: Aaron Revelle chats with Barry FitzGerald

In a previous instalment of the Explorers Podcast, host Barry FitzGerald spoke with PUR managing director Aaron Revelle, who finds itself in good company with Rio Tinto as they chase Argentina’s vast and low-cost lithium potential.

What now? 

Key priorities for PUR now include relocating the pilot plant, construction of low-cost test ponds, continuing engagement with offtake partners and those requesting product samples, and prioritising capital-efficient development via feasibility studies for a 5000tpa Stage 2 scenario. 

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.