They seek to quantify lithium in El Leoncito exploration
The state company Kallpa, a member of Parque Arauco La Rioja, began a new stage in the lithium exploration project in the El Leoncito salt flat, in the Bermejo Valley. To learn more about it, Radio La Red spoke with Ivana Guardia, Secretary of Mining of the province.
“Several projects were started at the beginning of the year, and most of them are now awaiting laboratory results, since the climatic condition does not allow further work to be carried out at this time,” he stated and clarified: “The difference with Leoncito is that being Further down, you can work although with difficulties, because temperatures of -20°C have been recorded. In fact, the start was delayed by a week.”
The project belongs 100% to Kallpa, the state company dedicated to the administration and implementation of operations around renewable energies and strategic mineral resources of the province. “It is a lithium project, where 3 drillings were done last year, with good results. In this second stage, the drillings are expanded and the analysis of the samples continues, to evaluate the profitability,” Guard said, assuring that there are around 9 drillings.
“All these studies will allow us to quantify the resource we have. We are very happy that this work is being carried out by a state company, it is a very particular model that we are carrying out in the province,” he stated with enthusiasm.
What is known with certainty is that due to its geological formation, the province is very rich in minerals. According to the secretary, gold, silver, copper, zinc and cobalt have been found, in addition to the lithium that is being explored. However, Guardia clarified that “it is a virgin province” in this sense. To determine what minerals there are, it is necessary to do the exploration, take samples and analyze them in specific laboratories.
“These are initial stages, we are just investigating our province, corroborating what is believed to exist,” he concluded.
Salt flats and salt flats
Days ago, Ariel Parmigiani, president of Parque Arauco, highlighted the importance of this project not only for the company but 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” and also stressed that this project is part of a broader effort to identify and develop strategic mineral resources necessary to combat climate change.
The president of Parque Arauco emphasized the importance of open-door mining, inviting the community to visit the Salar El Leoncito 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,” said Parmigiani.
To date, 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 a significant advance in the development of sustainable mining in La Rioja, whose approach is oriented towards transparency, collaboration of different actors and commitment to environmental standards. existing.
