Part 4/11:
Beyond sheer reserves, what truly sets Argentina apart is the ease and low cost of extraction. The country’s lithium is mainly sourced from salt flats using direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, which is significantly more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional evaporation methods. DLE can recover 80-90% of lithium from brine within days, using specialized filters, whereas older methods recover only about half over several months and consume enormous amounts of water.
This technological edge, coupled with abundant and accessible reserves, offers Argentina a competitive advantage. Extraction costs are lower, and technological advancements are making projects more viable and profitable.