8
for electric vehicles according to Gonzales is observed in
Figure 11.
THE DISCOVERY OF LITHIUM IN PUNO
[1] Plateau Energy Metals held a press conference where,
according to one of the executives present, claimed to have
discovered a “lithium lake” in the Puno region. According
to Ulises Solís, general manager of Macusani Yellocake,
the incredible discovery of lithium in Falchani contains
an average of 3,500 ppm of the metal, seven times more
than the richest salars in Chile and Argentina. [10]] the
General Manager of Macusani Yellowcake has reported that
the resources discovered in the exploration work amount to
4.7 million tons of lithium. This amount places Falchani as
the sixth largest project of its kind in the world as seen in
Figure 12.
Likewise, preparations had begun for an environmen-
tal impact study that was to be completed in August of this
year. Mine construction took place in 2021, paving the
way for mining in 2022. The goal is to reach 100,000 tons
and consolidate ourselves as the world’s leading producer.
According to Benchmark Minerals Intelligence (BMI), it
will generate solid financial returns and will be in the second
lowest quarter of operating costs. In addition, according to
the available resource information, the project is valued at
$1.55 billion, with an internal rate of return of 19.7% and
a payback period of 4.7 years. An average annual produc-
tion of around 63,000 tons will also be seen, with a mine
life of 33 years. Table 4 shows the production phase.
Figure 11. Lithium demand by electric vehicles (a) and
demand with maximum and minimum expected scenarios
(b) [13]
Figure 12. Largest hard rock lithium projects in the world (mineral resources in million tonnes) [19]
for electric vehicles according to Gonzales is observed in
Figure 11.
THE DISCOVERY OF LITHIUM IN PUNO
[1] Plateau Energy Metals held a press conference where,
according to one of the executives present, claimed to have
discovered a “lithium lake” in the Puno region. According
to Ulises Solís, general manager of Macusani Yellocake,
the incredible discovery of lithium in Falchani contains
an average of 3,500 ppm of the metal, seven times more
than the richest salars in Chile and Argentina. [10]] the
General Manager of Macusani Yellowcake has reported that
the resources discovered in the exploration work amount to
4.7 million tons of lithium. This amount places Falchani as
the sixth largest project of its kind in the world as seen in
Figure 12.
Likewise, preparations had begun for an environmen-
tal impact study that was to be completed in August of this
year. Mine construction took place in 2021, paving the
way for mining in 2022. The goal is to reach 100,000 tons
and consolidate ourselves as the world’s leading producer.
According to Benchmark Minerals Intelligence (BMI), it
will generate solid financial returns and will be in the second
lowest quarter of operating costs. In addition, according to
the available resource information, the project is valued at
$1.55 billion, with an internal rate of return of 19.7% and
a payback period of 4.7 years. An average annual produc-
tion of around 63,000 tons will also be seen, with a mine
life of 33 years. Table 4 shows the production phase.
Figure 11. Lithium demand by electric vehicles (a) and
demand with maximum and minimum expected scenarios
(b) [13]
Figure 12. Largest hard rock lithium projects in the world (mineral resources in million tonnes) [19]