Galan Keeps HMW Lithium Sales on Track as Expansion Earthworks Begin

Galan Lithium Limited (ASX:GLN) is keeping its first-sales timetable intact at Hombre Muerto West, despite a severe Andean winter that caused minor operational suspensions. The company says first lithium chloride concentrate sales from the Phase 1 operation in Catamarca, Argentina, remain on track for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Nanofiltration Delivers 98% Sulphate Rejection

The clearest operating datapoint is the performance of HMW’s nanofiltration plant, which removes impurities from brine before further concentration. Galan says the plant has produced more than three months of data showing sulphate rejection of 98% or better, broadly in line with piloting results and company expectations.

That separation performance supports the planned upgrading of lithium chloride concentrate to a targeted 6% lithium content. It is an important processing milestone, although the announcement does not disclose sales volumes, pricing or revenue expectations for the first concentrate shipments.

Warmer Conditions Support 4ktpa Target

Plant productivity has continued to improve during the ramp-up, and Galan expects warmer seasonal conditions to help the operation reach its initial targeted throughput rate of 4,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent in the first half of calendar 2027. That remains a target rather than a reported achieved production rate.

The winter experience has prompted a resilience measure. Authium plans to construct and mobilise an additional pressure-vessel skid to site, augmenting existing Phase 1 capacity and intended to reduce the operational impact of future winter conditions in the Puna region.

Expansion Earthworks Begin at HMW

Earthworks have now commenced for the initial Phase 1 expansion to 5.2ktpa. Galan expects the higher production volumes from that expansion to be realised in the second half of calendar 2027, subject to construction and ramp-up progress. The announcement provides no project cost estimate for the work.

The immediate test is therefore execution across two linked milestones: converting the current ramp-up into first sales before year-end, then proving that seasonal operating conditions and added equipment can support the targeted 4ktpa rate. The next hard evidence will be actual concentrate sales and measured throughput, rather than another timetable confirmation.