Episode 167: Lithium Argentina

Lithium Americas will separate into two entities in the fourth quarter of 2023. LAC’s South American assets will become Lithium Argentina (@Lithium_ARG on X aka Twitter). I spent a few days with the team last week in Buenos Aires and Salta, Argentina.

Recording a podcast seemed like a natural thing to do. John Kanellitsas, Franco Mignacco, Ignacio Celorrio, Carlos Galli and Tom Benson joined me with a cameo appearance by Kelly O’Brien.

Topics:

The journey to becoming Argentina’s third lithium chemical producer

The importance of finding and retaining the right people

Combining cultures in the Minera Exar JV

The Lithium Americas separation

Politics in Argentina

The growing significance  of lithium to Argentina

Why it is too soon for Argentina should focus on making batteries

Doing lithium “differently”

The 500,000 ton goal for Argentina

Leveraging talent from other industries

Bringing new technology to exploration

Pastos Grandes

Talent wars

“The Signal and the Noise”

The five year vision for Lithium Argentina