12 March 2025, London - The Net Zero Circle
In a decisive move to consolidate its presence in Argentina, Río Tinto Group has reaffirmed its position as the country’s leading lithium producer following its $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium. This transaction grants the company control over key lithium projects, including Salar de Olaroz in Jujuy, Fénix in Catamarca, and Rincón in Salta, as well as the Sal de Vida project in Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca.
To discuss investment and expansion plans, the Governor of Jujuy, Carlos Sadir, held a meeting on Wednesday at the Casa de Jujuy in Buenos Aires with top executives from Río Tinto, including Jakob Stausholm, CEO of Río Tinto Group; Paul Graves, CEO of Río Tinto Lithium; and Sinead Kaufman, CEO of Battery Minerals. The meeting was also attended by Paula Uribe, Director of Public Affairs; Ignacio Costa, General Manager for Argentina; Guillermo Caló, Project Manager for Rincón; and José Gómez, Jujuy’s Secretary of Mining and Hydrocarbons.
With the acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, Río Tinto has cemented its position as Argentina’s largest lithium producer and one of the leading global players in the sector. CEO Jakob Stausholm emphasised the significance of this expansion:
“This is an exciting time to be operating in Argentina. I cannot wait to see what more we can do to support economic development in the Lithium Triangle and across the country.”
The Lithium Triangle, comprising Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, holds the world’s largest lithium reserves. Río Tinto’s investment strengthens Argentina’s role as a key supplier in the global transition to electric mobility and renewable energy storage.
Río Tinto’s expansion in Jujuy, Catamarca, and Salta will not only enhance Argentina’s lithium production capacity but also drive job creation, infrastructure development, and local supply chain integration.
With these newly acquired assets, the company plans to optimise extraction processes to improve efficiency and sustainability, aligning with global environmental and corporate responsibility standards.
Lithium is a critical resource in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, two industries experiencing rapid global growth. Río Tinto’s commitment to Jujuy’s lithium sector strengthens Argentina’s position as a key player in the clean energy revolution.
With a long-term vision, the mining giant is not only expanding its production capacity but also reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and Argentina’s integration into the global supply chain of critical minerals.
�With this investment, Río Tinto is not only securing its leadership in Argentina but also propelling the country’s lithium industry onto the global stage of clean energy and electric mobility.
