TheTechno Optimist.

Rincon Lithium ProjectRio Tinto—Rio Tinto ships first commercial lithium carbonate from Rincon starter plant in ArgentinaRincon Lithium ProjectRio Tinto—Rio Tinto secures $1.175 billion in financing from IFC, IDB Invest, EFA, and JBIC for Rincon lithium expansion in Argentina

Rio Tinto

Lithium, mining, Rincon, battery materials, Argentina

GB/AUpublicest. 1873riotinto.com (opens riotinto.com)Checked 11 Oct

The brief

Analyst view
  • Secured $1.175B financing in March 2026 from IFC, IDB Invest, EFA, and JBIC for Rincon lithium.
  • Rincon is Rio Tinto's first commercial lithium operation, targeting 60,000 tonnes per year by 2028.
  • Shipped first 200 tonnes from Rincon starter plant in March 2026 to Shanghai.

Technical approach

As reported
Source

Puna de Atacama brine

Lithium-rich brine deposits in Argentina's Salta Province, one of the world's largest sources.

Build

Starter plant + expansion

3,000 t/yr starter plant in production; 57,000 t/yr expansion begins mid-2025; full 60,000 t/yr by 2031.

Product

Battery-grade carbonate

High-purity lithium carbonate for EV and grid storage batteries.

Primer