Clean TeQ Water Lands A$19.2M Deal for Rincon Lithium Project Softening Plant
Clean TeQ Water has landed a significant A$19.2 million contract with Rio Tinto’s subsidiary for the Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina, marking its first major South American venture and a milestone in lithium refining technology.
- A$19.2 million contract awarded by Rio Tinto’s Rincon Mining subsidiary
- Project involves lithium concentrate softening plant using proprietary MBIX technology
- Contract delivery staged over three years
- First major Clean TeQ project in South America
- MBIX technology offers sustainability and efficiency advantages in lithium refining
Strategic Breakthrough in South America
Clean TeQ Water Limited (ASX, CNQ) has announced a landmark contract win valued at approximately A$19.2 million (US$12.5 million) with Rigi – Rincon Mining Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of global mining giant Rio Tinto. The contract is for the Rincon Lithium Project located in Argentina’s Salta Province, a key region within the lithium triangle known for its rich mineral deposits.
This deal represents one of the largest contracts in Clean TeQ’s history and marks its inaugural major project in South America, a region rapidly emerging as a critical hub for lithium production amid the global energy transition.
Innovative Technology at the Core
The contract covers the engineering design, procurement, and supply of a lithium concentrate softening plant that utilises Clean TeQ’s proprietary CLEAN-IX Moving Bed Ion Exchange (MBIX) technology. MBIX is a cutting-edge ion exchange platform that operates with moving resin beds, delivering superior efficiency compared to traditional fixed-bed systems.
Key advantages of MBIX include reduced lithium loss, lower fresh water and reagent consumption, and the ability to handle streams with suspended solids continuously without downtime. These features align with the growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective lithium refining solutions, positioning Clean TeQ as a technology leader in the direct lithium extraction (DLE) sector.
A Three-Year Delivery Timeline
The contract is structured over a staged, three-year delivery schedule, reflecting the complexity and scale of industrial installations in the mining sector. Clean TeQ’s CEO, Peter Voigt, highlighted the significance of the award as a strong endorsement of MBIX technology and its role in enabling sustainable lithium production as global demand accelerates.
While the contract terms are standard with no unusual conditions, the deal underscores Clean TeQ’s expanding footprint in the global lithium market and its strategic partnership with a major industry player like Rio Tinto.
Implications for the Lithium Market
This contract win not only boosts Clean TeQ’s revenue visibility but also signals confidence in its proprietary technology amid rising lithium demand driven by electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. As the lithium triangle continues to attract investment, Clean TeQ’s presence in Argentina could open doors to further opportunities in South America and beyond.
Investors and industry watchers will be keen to monitor the project’s execution and any subsequent contracts that may leverage MBIX technology’s sustainability credentials.
Bottom Line?
Clean TeQ’s South American breakthrough could be the first step in a broader lithium technology expansion.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Clean TeQ manage operational risks over the three-year delivery timeline?
- Could this contract lead to further partnerships or licensing deals in South America?
- What impact will rising lithium demand have on Clean TeQ’s technology adoption globally?
