Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. Announces Initial Mineral Resource Estimate at the Rincon West Lithium Project

Core Insights - Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. announced the first Mineral Resource estimate for the Rincon West lithium brine project in Salta Province, Argentina, marking a significant milestone for the company [1][2]. Mineral Resource Estimate Highlights - The initial resource estimate includes 0.15 km of brine volume with an average lithium grade of 296 mg/l, representing 238,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) [5][6]. - The Inferred Resource consists of 0.08 km of brine volume with an average lithium grade of 216 mg/l, equating to 64,000 tonnes of LCE [5][6]. - The resource was defined by 14 exploration boreholes totaling 4,823.2 meters of diamond drilling and one production well of 470 meters [3][4]. Strategic Positioning - The company is strategically located near Rio Tinto's Rincon Project and has a partnership with Stellantis, which enhances its potential for rapid development [2][3]. - Argentina Lithium aims to build a scalable, high-value lithium operation to generate sustainable returns for shareholders, leveraging its resource base and strategic partnerships [3][4]. Future Development Plans - The exploration team plans to evaluate drilling below the current mineral resource to identify expansion potential, as the current resource is open to depth [3][4]. - The company is advancing Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) studies and exploring advanced extraction technologies [3]. Stellantis Investment and Offtake Agreement - In September 2023, Argentina Lithium entered into a strategic investment agreement with Stellantis, acquiring a 19.9% stake in its Argentine subsidiary, with a lithium offtake agreement allowing Stellantis to purchase up to 15,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year upon commercial production [16][24]. Technical and Methodological Details - The resource estimation methodology involved two drilling campaigns conducted between 2022 and 2024, with continuous core samples collected for porosity studies [8][9]. - The brine resource estimate was determined based on aquifer geometry, drainable porosity, and concentration of lithium and potassium [9][10]. Company Overview - Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. focuses on acquiring high-quality lithium projects in Argentina to meet the growing global demand from the battery sector, with a strong portfolio in the Lithium Triangle [24].