On October 2, 2026, French mining group Eramet disclosed plans to invest $350 million to expand production at its lithium asset in Argentina. The proposed upgrade is designed to add 11,000 metric tons of annual lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) output.
The development remains subject to a final investment decision, meaning capital deployment will only proceed once all regulatory and corporate approvals are secured.
Scaling up domestic lithium processing in South America aligns with broader efforts to diversify battery supply chains away from concentrated Asian refining hubs. If approved, the additional LCE volume would contribute to tightening global electrolyte feedstock markets and support long-term demand from electric vehicle manufacturers.