The study will assess the potential effects on the landscape, climate, flora and fauna. Credit: Jim Parkin via Shutterstock.com.

The Supreme Court of Argentina’s Catamarca province has ordered a halt on the construction of two significant Arcadium Lithium projects.

The decision comes after an injunction filed by an indigenous community, demanding a suspension of permits for the Fenix expansion and the development of Sal de Vida.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

These projects, both located in the Antofagasta de la Sierra department, are now on hold until a comprehensive environmental impact study is completed.

The provincial mining ministry and the water resources department are tasked with conducting the impact study.

This study will assess the potential effects on the landscape, climate, flora and fauna.

See Also:

Additionally, it will include an analysis of the impact on the Los Patos River and the Hombre Muerto salt flat basin.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Permits and authorisations for the projects will remain suspended until the study is finalised, with the involvement of public organisations and the Altiplano Atacama community.

A chief of the Atacameños Native Community filed a case in 2021, claiming the province had approved mining projects in the Salar del Hombre Muerto basin without consulting the local community or conducting an environmental impact assessment. The ruling was shared with Reuters on Thursday.

Arcadium is a joint venture between Australia’s Allkem and US-based Livent.

The halted expansion at Fenix involves hydraulic works on the Los Patos River, which aims to increase lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) production capacity from 18,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) to 40,000tpa.

At the Sal de Vida project, also owned by Arcadium, the construction of wells and evaporation ponds is under way, with plans to commence production of 30,000tpa of LCE by 2027.

The suspension raises concerns about the future of employment and other initiatives intended to add value to the region, including Sal de Oro, Virgen del Valle Litio, Candelas and Hombre Muerto Oeste.