Rincón Project — lithium carbonate (Rio Tinto)
The largest RIGI commitment in Argentine lithium: Rio Tinto is building a 53,000 tpa plant at the Salar de Rincón using DLE (nanofiltration). The first large-scale lithium project by a global diversified major in the country.
The projectwhat it is, the route, the owners, the works and the contractors
Who owns it
Rincón Mining PTY LTD. Argentina Branch (CUIT 30-70708643-9; Rio Tinto subsidiary) verif · Jun 3, 2025 ↗
- The works, milestone by milestone — We have not built this project’s timeline. Dated milestones with their source close it.
- Who already has a contract — We have not surveyed this project’s awards. A published contract with its source closes them.
How to supply itwhere to register, what they ask for and what they will buy
How to become a supplier
We have not built this project’s entry map. It is our gap, not a prohibition: it closes by opening the provincial register and the operator’s single window.
What it will buy, and when
Each phase buys different things at different times.
Stage 1 — 25,000 t/yr commercial plant
under wayVerbatim from the act: «an investment of one billion six hundred fifty-three million US dollars (USD 1,653,000,000) for the first stage, to be executed between July 9, 2024 and December 31, 2027». The first export from the 25,000 t/yr plant is estimated for January 2028 and is what defines start-up for the purposes of the regime.
Stage 2 — Rincón Full Potential, up to 53,000 t/yr
under wayVerbatim: «six hundred forty-six million US dollars (USD 646,000,000) for the second stage, to be executed between the years 2026 and 2029». Investment plan from admission: USD 516,963,963 in the first year and USD 776,547,631 in the second.
What it will need and has no supplier for yet
Brine drilling and pumping + pond piping
highThe DLE operation demands well fields and continuous brine pumping at industrial scale.
Export logistics along the Salta-to-Pacific-ports corridor
highCarbonate exported to Asia leaves through Andean passes: high-altitude heavy transport and cargo consolidation are a structural bottleneck of the Puna.
Get on board the takeoff
Tell us what you are looking for and we will reply. This is what we work on: proyectos RIGI, proveedores y datos verificados de Salta.
What it leaves in Saltajobs, works, taxes, promises and the outlook
How many jobs it creates
some 2,500 direct jobs during the construction stage direct construction jobs (whether this is a peak or an average is not published) unconf · Oct 26, 2025
- The works that stay behind — We have not surveyed this project’s permanent works. A published size with its source closes them.
- What it already pays in taxes and royalties — We have not broken down this project’s local fiscal contribution: the primary source that sets each item still has to be opened, and an act of the State is not published on press backing.
- Who promised what — We have not surveyed the public promises about this project. A dated, verifiable commitment with its source closes them.
What could stall itrisks and how to track them
- What could stall it — We have not documented this project’s risks. An identifiable vector with its source closes them.
- How to tell whether it is advancing — We have not defined this project’s indicators: what observable fact marks its progress still has to be identified.
How we verified thisthe act, the gaps and the sources
The RIGI act, in detail
EX-2025-20445333-APN-SCEYM#MEC verif · Jun 3, 2025 ↗
May 19, 2025 verif · Jun 3, 2025 ↗
The act’s articles, in detail
2 facts on the commitment
30 June 2029 to complete the minimum investment amount. verif · Jun 30, 2029 ↗
Rincón Mining PTY LTD. Sucursal Argentina, tax ID 30-70708643-9, registered at Manuela Sáenz 323, Apartment 613, Buenos Aires City. verif · Jun 3, 2025 ↗
What we could not confirm
There are 1 in this project. Each says why it could not be confirmed and what it would take to close it.
H-01The permanent operating workforce, and who stands behind the 2,500 construction jobs+
The only source found that gives the construction figure attributes it to no one, and gives no operating figure. Resolución 735/2025 does not publish employment.
