Lithium Argentina Eyes Two Major Project Kickoffs in 2026

---

Written by Amir Richani for IIR News (Sugar Land, Texas)

---

Summary

Lithium Argentina closed 2025 with a record quarterly output and solid overall volumes. The company has set its eyes on 2026, where it expects to move forward with two projects.

---

Argentina as a Lithium Hub

Lithium Argentina AG (Zug, Switzerland) closed 2025 at the upper end of its production guidance with an output of 34,100 tons of lithium carbonate from its Cauchari-Olaroz Mine in Argentina's Jujuy province. It expects to proceed with two new projects in Argentina this year.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Plant Database can learn more about the Cauchari-Olaroz Mine from a detailed plant profile.

"Strong production through the fourth quarter, together with continued cost reductions, highlights the increasing operational maturity of the business and positions us well for the next stage of growth, as we advance Stage 2 at Cauchari-Olaroz and progress the PPG project," said Sam Pigott, the chief executive officer of Lithium Argentina, in a press release.

The Cauchari-Olaroz Mine achieved a record quarterly output of 9,700 tons in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the plant operating at 97% capacity. Cash operating costs for the fourth quarter are expected to be below US$6,000 per ton of LCE sold, down from the US$6,285 per ton during third-quarter 2025.

Lithium prices have rebounded since June, but they have yet to recover to the 2022 highs. The drop in prices led to capacity shutdowns, project delays, and financial losses for companies. Still, demand for electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery-based energy-storage systems is expected to remain strong.

New Projects and Upgrades

Lithium Argentina announced that it also is moving forward with the Stage 2 expansion of Cauchari-Olaroz, which is expected to raise production to 45,000 tons of LCE per year, after submitting its environmental permit and the project to Argentina's Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) in December. The decision is still pending. Subscribers can learn more from a detailed project report.

The RIGI provides fiscal and legal benefits for investment projects in Argentina that each have a value of more than US$200 million.

Lithium Argentina also said it is preparing to submit the RIGI application for its Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes (PPG) project, which is being developed in partnership with Ganfeng Lithium, during the first quarter of 2026. Subscribers can learn more from a detailed list of project reports.

Despite the collapse in lithium prices, Argentina continues to attract interest from international companies seeking to develop projects. Industrial Info is tracking 77 lithium projects in Argentina valued at US$23.6 billion, including major companies such as Albemarle, Rio Tinto and POSCO.

Key Takeaways

• Lithium Argentina produced 34,100 tons of LCE from its Cauchari-Olaroz mine.
• The company set its quarterly production record in fourth-quarter 2025, reaching 9,700 tons of LCE.
• The PPG project could see its RIGI application submitted in first-quarter 2026.

---

About IIR News
IIR News is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resource's Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).