On May 28, 2026, Australian-listed lithium company Galan Lithium Limited (ASX: GLN) announced that the wet plant commissioning of its wholly-owned Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Catamarca Province, Argentina, had been successfully completed. The first batch of processed lithium chloride (LiCl) had been fed into the final evaporation ponds, officially entering the production optimization phase, with lithium chloride concentrates production and sales expected in H2 2026. First Batch of Processed Brine Delivered. The Phase 1 construction of the HMW project was completed in March 2026, and after mechanical and electrical commissioning, the project smoothly entered wet plant commissioning. The nanofiltration plant first processed raw brine at low pressure, then processed pre-concentrated brine containing approximately 0.5% lithium at high pressure. Independent laboratory detection confirmed that the impurity separation performance fully met design specifications. The processed lithium chloride has now been fed into evaporation ponds, where approximately 3 months of evaporation and concentration will produce lithium chloride concentrates with 6% lithium content for exports under agreement. Stable mass production has not yet been achieved; upon completion of optimization, the project will steadily reach the Phase 1 designed capacity of 4,000 mt LCE per year. Galan Lithium Limited is a lithium exploration and development enterprise listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Its core assets are the HMW and Candelas world-class lithium brine projects at the Hombre Muerto salar in Argentina. The company also holds an exploration license for Greenbushes South in Western Australia, adjacent to the tier-one Greenbushes lithium mine.

On 28 May 2026, Australian listed lithium company Galan Lithium Limited (ASX:GLN) announced the successful completion of wet plant commissioning at its wholly‑owned Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Catamarca Province, Argentina. The first batch of processed lithium chloride (LiCl) has been injected into the final evaporation ponds, marking the official start of the production optimisation phase. The company expects to achieve production and sales of concentrated lithium chloride in the second half of 2026. Core Progress: Commissioning Completed, Mass Production Imminent The first phase of the HMW project was completed in March 2026. After mechanical and electrical commissioning, the wet plant successfully entered the commissioning phase. During the process, the nano‑filtration plant first treated raw brine at low pressure, then treated pre‑concentrated brine with approximately 0.5% lithium at high pressure. Independent laboratory tests confirmed that impurity separation met all design specifications. The processed lithium chloride has now been transferred to evaporation ponds, where it will be concentrated over about three months to produce a 6% lithium chloride concentrate, which will be sold under existing offtake agreements. The project is currently in the production optimisation and ramp‑up phase, and stable mass production has not yet been achieved. Once optimisation is complete, the project will steadily reach its Phase 1 design capacity of 4,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The evaporation ponds already hold a brine inventory equivalent to approximately 10,000 tonnes of LCE, providing ample raw material to support the ramp‑up and ensure continuous production. Capacity Expansion: Phase 1 Expansion + Four‑Stage Plan Targeting 60,000 tpa LCE Galan is steadily advancing its capacity expansion, with a clear long‑term growth roadmap. Phase 1 is planned to increase from 4,000 tpa LCE to 5,200 tpa LCE, with evaporation pond construction to begin shortly and completion expected in the first half of 2027. The nano‑filtration plant is designed flexibly to support the expanded capacity. Looking further ahead, the company already holds a construction permit for Phase 2 (21,000 tpa LCE) and plans a four‑stage expansion, with a final target of 60,000 tpa LCE. The HMW project’s resource base ranks among the top ten lithium projects globally, providing a solid foundation for long‑term stable production and supply. Project Advantages: Premium Asset with Low Costs and Policy Support As Galan’s flagship project, HMW offers multiple core competitive strengths. First, it features industry‑leading brine purity — among the lowest impurity levels of any published lithium brine resource in Argentina. Second, it enjoys a significant cost advantage, positioning it in the first quartile of the industry cost curve once in production. Third, the project has been awarded RIGI preferential status, providing 30 years of fiscal stability and income tax benefits. Finally, it is located in the renowned “lithium triangle” of South America, within the Hombre Muerto salar, giving it exceptional resource endowment. Near‑Term Goals: Four Key Priorities As it enters the production phase, Galan is focusing on four key tasks: 1) ramping up to Phase 1’s design capacity of 4,000 tpa LCE; 2) shipping the first batch of lithium chloride concentrate to Authium Limited; 3) commencing construction of evaporation ponds for the Phase 1 expansion to 5,200 tpa LCE; and 4) continuing planning and financing for the Phase 2 project. With these goals being steadily achieved, Galan is well positioned to take an increasingly important role in the global lithium supply landscape.

Stardust Power, a U.S. producer of battery-grade lithium carbonate, has announced that it has signed a letter of intent with a strategic partner to supply up to 15,000 metric tons per annum of lithium chloride feedstock, equivalent to lithium carbonate (LCE), to its Muskogee refinery in Oklahoma. The feedstock is sourced from a lithium brine project in California, with initial deliveries expected to start in the first half of 2028. The company may also purchase additional volumes at its own discretion as needed. It is currently advancing the pre-construction phase of the Muskogee lithium refinery, having completed the FEL-3 engineering study and obtained an air quality construction permit.

On April 1, Galan Lithium announced that Phase 1 construction of its Hombre Muerto West (HMW) Project has been successfully completed. The project has now fully transitioned to the commissioning and operational readiness phase, with all major process facilities, including the nanofiltration plant, installed and electrical and mechanical testing underway. Supported by substantial brine inventory, first lithium chloride production is expected in 2026. As of April 2026, the project has 10,000 tonnes LCE of brine inventory available for processing. Initial production capacity is 4,000 tonnes LCE per annum, with plans to expand to 5,200 tonnes LCE in the near term.

Recently, Xinjiang Blue Diamond Lithium Energy Technology Co., Ltd. published the first official public notice for the environmental impact assessment of its lithium salt production project. The project is located in Toksun County, Turpan City, Xinjiang, with a total investment of 2.5 billion yuan. It will include a production line capable of producing 35,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate and 935 tons of anhydrous lithium chloride per year, along with supporting facilities such as a raw material preparation area, pyrometallurgical area, leaching and electrolysis area, and production area.

In late this month, Lithium Argentina announced its fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results, along with an outlook on subsequent expansion plans. The company holds a 44.8% equity interest in the Cauchari-Olaroz project. The company's flagship Cauchari-Olaroz project currently has an annual production capacity of 40,000 tons, with plans to expand by 45,000 tons per year. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company produced approximately 9,700 tons of lithium carbonate. For the full year of 2025, production reached 34,100 tons, including 359 tons of lithium chloride (in LCE terms) produced and sold to Ganfeng Lithium in the first half of 2025 to support the startup of Ganfeng's Mariana project. 2025 production reached the upper end of the guidance range of 30,000-35,000 tons, representing a 34% increase year-over-year compared to 2024. Cost of sales in the fourth quarter of 2025 was US$66 million, with cash operating costs for lithium carbonate at US$5,618 per ton. The reduction in operating costs was driven by structural optimization and operational efficiency improvements, with these cost-saving effects expected to be sustainable. Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 was US$92 million, with an average realized selling price for lithium carbonate of approximately US$9,049 per ton. Due to a significant increase in market prices since late 2025, the average realized selling price for lithium carbonate in the first quarter of 2026 is expected to be approximately US$17,000 per ton. 2026 production guidance for lithium carbonate is set at 35,000-40,000 tons. With continued optimization and lean operations, production is expected to steadily increase in 2026, supporting the project's long-term operational performance. Regarding the PPG project and Cauchari-Olaroz expansion: Cauchari-Olaroz Stage 2 Expansion: The Cauchari-Olaroz project is advancing expansion plans, aiming to add 45,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate production capacity. Measured and indicated lithium resources increased by 42%, reaching 28.1 million tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, with an average lithium grade of 562 mg/L. Leveraging the better-than-expected operational performance of the Cauchari-Olaroz project, the 5,000-ton-per-year DLE plant will continue to be built, with the first unit to be deployed at Ganfeng Lithium's adjacent Mariana project for technology integration and operational validation. The Stage 2 expansion plan, incorporating DLE technology, is expected to be completed by mid-2026. The application for the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) and the environmental permit for the Stage 2 project were both submitted in December 2025. PPG Project: Three-phase integrated development, with a total target capacity of 150,000 tonnes/year LCE PPG is expected to have an annual capacity of 25,000 tonnes when it begins production in 2029, subsequently increasing to 50,000 tonnes in 2031, 100,000 tonnes in 2034, and reaching the design capacity of 150,000 tonnes/year in 2038. The detailed preliminary study was completed in December 2025. Based on the assumption of a lithium carbonate price of US$18,000/tonne, the project's after-tax net present value (at an 8% discount rate) is US$8.1 billion, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 33%. Phase 1 environmental permit was obtained in November 2025, and the RIGI application was submitted in February 2026. Integration of the new joint venture company for the PPG project has been largely completed, with the closing expected in the second quarter of 2026. Ganfeng Lithium and Lithium Argentina are in discussions with potential customers and strategic partners on financing solutions, while simultaneously advancing offtake and minority equity cooperation. The company is considering applying for a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) or the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), to broaden its investor base in the Asia-Pacific region while maintaining its listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Source: Lithium Argentina official website, compiled by SMM