Argentina is becoming one of the most powerful countries when it comes to lithium. How is this possible? Because Argentina has the Fenix Mine (also known as the ‘’blue paradise’’ of lithium) which can be found in the Salar del Hombre Muerto in Catamarca. This place is operated by Arcadium Lithium and it is expected to become one of the main producers of lithium in the whole world. The company has an ambitious idea: reaching 100,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year by 2030.
Not only is this project relevant for Argentina’s economy, but also for the future of electric mobility and clean energy in the entire world. So, let’s find out more about it.
What’s lithium and why is it important?
This mineral, also known as ‘’white gold’’, is strategic because it is crucial for manufacturing rechargeable batteries. These are used in electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, and renewable energy storage systems. So, without knowing it, we all have had lithium in our hands.
Having in mind the energy transition, places like the United States and Europe look for reliable and responsible supply chains. And do you know what? Argentina seems to have a key role here because of its vast reserves.
The Fenix Mine
This has been producing lithium in the Salar del Hombre Muerto for almost three decades, but Arcadium Lithium company announced an expanding plan divided into two stages. Due to this plan, it is expected to multiply its extraction capacity.
Today, it produces way less than the new goal, but with the new investments it is expected to reach 100,000 tonnes per year in 2030. This amount would be perfect to produce batteries for more than 2 million electric vehicles per year. That would be crazy!
‘’Blue paradise’’
This project is named the ‘’blue paradise’’ because of the color of the lithium-rich brines extracted from the salt flats. However, beyond the visual aspect, the company wants to show that it’s possible to do the project in a responsible way with the environment and local communities.
In February of 2025, the Fenix Mine was one of the first mines in Argentina to be subjected to the IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance). This system studies things such as:
- Environmental impact of the operation.
- Transparency of the project.
- Respect for local communities.
The result was positive since the mine surpassed more than 50% of the global best-practice benchmarks. However, ensuring the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from local communities is under review, which is an important step toward fully responsible mining.
Lithium from Argentina
Arcadium Lithium’s project proves how Argentina can become a strategic supplier of lithium worldwide since the demand for advance on electric mobility and renewable energies storage keep growing. However, there is also a challenge: how they can guarantee the extraction of lithium is really sustainable? This is an important question because water, relationship with communities, and ecosystems protection are the main topics that will definy the future of the sector in the country.
So…
As you can see, lithium from Argentina has many features that can make it the protagonist of the energy transition in the world with the project about the Fenix Mine expansion. But, first, they need to balance the international demand of lithium with responsible mining practices to protect the environment and communities living in the Salar del Hombre Muerto.
If everything goes as planned, Argentina will bring the future of electric vehicles and clean energy, and it will be a worldwide leader whwn it comes to this strategic mineral. What do you think about this project?