Incahuasi Lithium Project’s 235,000-Tonne Resource Validated in Conceptual Study

A Milestone for Incahuasi

Power Minerals Limited, in partnership with Summit Nanotech Corporation, has delivered a significant technical milestone for its Incahuasi Lithium Project in Argentina’s famed lithium triangle. The recently completed Conceptual Development Study confirms the project’s technical viability, setting the stage for a prefeasibility study and eventual production.

Located in the Salta province’s Puna region, the Incahuasi project leverages a substantial JORC 2012 Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 235,073 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The study envisages producing 5,000 tonnes per annum of ultra-high purity lithium carbonate (99.95% Li2CO3) over a 20-year mine life, positioning Incahuasi as a potentially significant contributor to global lithium supply.

Innovative Extraction and Processing Approach

The development concept combines traditional brine extraction and on-site evaporation concentration at the Incahuasi salar with advanced direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology at a central processing facility in Pocitos. Summit Nanotech’s proprietary denaLi™ process demonstrated lithium recovery rates of up to 98% in bench-scale tests and 95% in pilot plant operations, with impurity rejection exceeding 99%. This technology promises a more efficient and environmentally sensitive alternative to conventional lithium extraction methods.

Brine concentrate from Incahuasi will be trucked approximately 70 kilometers to the Pocitos industrial park, which offers established infrastructure including grid power, gas supply, and logistics support. The integration of raw brines from nearby tenements such as Rincon and Pocitos into the central DLE facility may further optimize feedstock quality and operational efficiency.

Environmental and Social Considerations

Environmental baseline studies indicate that the Incahuasi basin exhibits relatively low biodiversity, with the project area largely undisturbed by human activity. Water management emerges as a critical environmental and social focus, reflecting local community concerns. The nearby towns of Tolar Grande and Pocitos have expressed openness to the project, particularly valuing opportunities for local employment and training. Power Minerals plans to implement ongoing environmental monitoring to manage and mitigate potential impacts effectively.

Next Steps and Outlook

While the Conceptual Study provides a robust technical foundation, economic outcomes remain to be determined through detailed engineering and costing. The next phase involves a prefeasibility study supported by pilot evaporation operations, a DLE demonstration plant, further wellfield development, and comprehensive geotechnical and logistical studies.

Power Minerals’ Managing Director, Mena Habib, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing Incahuasi alongside its Rincon asset, aiming to establish a significant lithium-producing hub in Salta. The project’s progression will be closely watched by investors and industry observers as lithium demand continues to surge globally.