Galan Lithium Limited provided further updates on the construction activities of its lithium brine project known as Hombre Muerto West (HMW), in Catamarca, where they aim to achieve lithium chloride production by the first half of 2025.

By Panorama Minero

The HMW project is divided into four production phases. The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) of Phase 1 focuses on producing 5.4ktpa LCE of lithium chloride concentrate by the first half of 2025, as per approved production permits. Phase 2 DFS targets 21ktpa LCE of lithium chloride concentrate in 2026, followed by Phase 3 production of 40ktpa LCE by 2028, and finally, a Phase 4 production target of 60ktpa LCE by 2030. Phase 4 will include lithium brine obtained from both HMW and another Galan-owned project in Argentina, named Candelas.

Construction progress:

-Commencement of filling pond No. 2 with the evaporation process already underway -Satisfactory progress in earthmoving and lining installation of pond No. 2 (Completed at 65%) -Construction of pond No. 3 in progress (40% complete) -Active evaporation process in pond No. 1, with approximately 500t of LCE already contained -Completion of ten production wells

Galan's strategy to expedite timelines:

The HMW Project aims to produce high-quality lithium chloride concentrate (LiCl) with 6% Li content, equivalent to 13% Li2O or 32% Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) by the first half of 2025. This LiCl product results in an 85 times higher lithium content concentration compared to raw brines obtained from Salar de Hombre Muerto. This represents more than double the lithium content of spodumene concentrates exported by Australia, a global leader in lithium production.

Following these results, Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega, Managing Director of the company, stated: "We are very proud of the solid progress achieved by the Phase 1 construction team of HMW; Galan is well on track towards its long-term production from the strategy of developing a low-cost, low-risk lithium chloride operation. We remain steadfast in advancing our vision and are confident that the production focus, including key acquisitions made in Argentina and off-take agreements, will position Galan favorably to become the country's next lithium producer by the first half of 2025."