The state company Kallpamember of the Arauco Park The Riojastart a new stage in the lithium exploration project in the El Leoncito salt flat, located in the Bermejo Valley. This project, promoted by the province with high environmental standards and with an inclusive and transparent approach, generated 81 jobsof which 52 are occupied by Riojans.
The Secretary of Mining of the province, Ivanna Guardiastated in this regard: “The beginning of this new stage of lithium exploration in El Leoncito marks a significant milestone in the development of sustainable mining in La Rioja. Kallpa has already carried out the first stage of prospecting and exploration of three wells and, with the results obtained, begins to this next stage that includes nine drillings, which will allow obtaining the feasibility of the project, which is of great relevance for the province considering that it is the most advanced lithium project in the territory”.
The official stressed that this mining project has important relevance in terms of job creation: “As the projects advance with positive results, the exploration stages increase; which means more labor and also qualified labor. Therefore, the great task that we have as a State is to accompany the departments to specialize the people and that can meet the requirements, characteristics and levels required by mining companies, given the high standards that must be met both in the activity and also in environmental care”.
In addition, the Secretary of Mining highlighted the role of the local workforce: “La Rioja has the professionals to be able to carry out this type of projects, we have the universities that today are training our young technicians, but we also need unskilled labor and other types of suppliers, where it is the province that must accompany them to “that a new productive matrix can be developed, which generates more jobs and also promotes the economic and social development of the region”.
For his part, the president of Parque Arauco, Ariel Parmigianistressed the importance of this project not only for the company, but also for the region and the country. “In 2021 and 2022, we identified more than 20 salt flats and salt flats with lithium production potential. Our commitment to sustainable mining is firm, complying with the highest environmental quality certification standards”expressed Parmigiani, and clarified that this project is part of a broader effort to identify and develop strategic mineral resources, necessary to combat climate change.
The manager also emphasized the importance of open-door mining, inviting the community to visit the El Leoncito salt flat and observe the company’s activities first-hand. “The idea is to be able to show society that different economic activities can coexist. It is not about mining yes or mining no, or it is tourism yes or mining no: here what we see is mining, more tourism, more agricultural production, more services , more State”Parmigiani said.
So far, this project has generated 81 genuine jobs, 52 of which are occupied by Riojans. This marks Kallpa’s commitment to local economic development, but also constitutes itself as a significant advance in the development of sustainable mining in La Riojawhose approach is oriented towards transparency, collaboration of different actors and commitment to existing environmental standards.
Finally, Kallpa’s operations manager, Juan Pizzodetailed the progress in the exploration project in the El Leoncito salt flat. “We have advanced to an exploration stage that consists of surface level studies to identify areas of interest, followed by drilling that allows us to understand the composition of the soil”Pizzo explained. This new phase, which includes the drilling of between 6 and 9 exploratory wells, will begin soon and will last approximately between 6 and 8 months.
