The project is located in South America’s renowned “lithium triangle” and is one of the largest and highest-grade lithium brine projects globally. The concession covers the entire salar surface and the brine lake, with abundant resources. With its good resource endowment, the project enjoys promising exploration prospects, with significant potential for further discoveries and production expansion.
Phase 1 of the 3Q project, with a production capacity of 20,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate per annum, has been completed. Phase 2, with a production capacity of 30,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate per annum, is under construction. After the two phases reach nameplate capacity, the project will have an annual capacity of 4 to 6 tonnes of LCE.
In early 2022, Zijin Mining acquired Canada-based Neo Lithium, gaining full ownership of Liex SA, whose core asset is the 3Q lithium salar.
The project supports community development, implementing a local employment strategy, conducting training for communities, and creating a large number of local jobs. It promotes local industries through local procurement, signing contracts with local suppliers to purchase equipment, materials and logistics services.
In addition, the project has developed an environmental management system that incorporates Zijin’s approaches and aligns with local cultural practices. It has increased the use of clean energy such as solar power and advances reforestation and sand stabilization efforts.