Ganfeng Lithium and Lithium Argentina Look for Third Investor to Advance $3 Billion Salta Lithium Project
Chinese mining giant Ganfeng Lithium and its Swiss partner, Lithium Argentina, are seeking a third investor for the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes lithium project in northern Argentina, as they move forward with plans to develop one of the country’s largest lithium assets.
The search for a new partner was confirmed by Lithium Argentina President Ignacio Celorrio, who said discussions are underway and that an investor is expected to be selected in the coming months.
Located in the province of Salta, the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project is projected to produce up to 150,000 tonnes of lithium annually once fully developed.
The project is expected to require more than $3 billion in investment across three development phases.
Strategic project in the Lithium Triangle
Argentina forms part of the so-called “Lithium Triangle” alongside Chile and Bolivia, a region that hosts some of the world’s largest lithium resources.
The mineral is a key component in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage technologies, making it increasingly strategic amid the global energy transition.
Argentina is currently the world’s fourth-largest lithium exporter and has six lithium operations in production.
The country has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for lithium investment due to its vast resources and supportive policy framework.
Seeking long-term investment support
The addition of a third investor is expected to strengthen the financial and operational capacity of the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project as development advances.
In March, Ganfeng applied to include the project under Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), a government initiative designed to attract major investments through tax incentives, regulatory stability and investment protections.
The regime applies to projects exceeding $200 million in capital expenditure.
The move reflects growing confidence in Argentina’s mining sector, which has attracted significant interest from global investors seeking exposure to critical minerals.
Expansion of Argentina’s lithium sector
Ganfeng and Lithium Argentina are already partners, alongside provincial mining company JEMSE, in the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium operation in neighboring Jujuy province.
In May, authorities approved the inclusion of a planned $1.2 billion expansion of the Cauchari-Olaroz project under the RIGI framework, further boosting the country’s lithium production ambitions.
Beyond lithium, Argentina is also a major exporter of gold and silver and is advancing several large-scale copper projects that are expected to begin production around 2030.
According to projections from the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies, the country’s mining exports reached approximately $6 billion in 2025 and are expected to increase to $9 billion in 2026, driven by continued growth in lithium production and new mining investments.
As global demand for battery minerals accelerates, the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project is expected to play an increasingly important role in Argentina’s strategy to become a leading supplier of critical minerals to international markets.
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