Rio Tinto to explore ELi DLE technology for South American lithium assets

Rio Tinto has continued efforts to position itself as a leader among commodity majors in the strategic pursuit of lithium assets, this week signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Reed Advanced Materials (RAM), majority-owned by Australia’s Neometals, covering a non-binding framework to explore collaboration on RAM’s patented ELi Process,a direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology.

The ELi process is designed to use electricity to convert processed lithium chloride solutions extracted from a variety of lithium-bearing brines, including salar brines, into battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate.

Rio Tinto targets DLE to support growing lithium footprint

The technology has the potential to reduce operational costs and minimise the environmental impact of lithium extraction from salar brines by eliminating the need for large volumes of chemical reagents, making it a promising complement toRio Tinto’s growing South American lithium portfolio.According to Benchmark data40% of Rio Tinto’s lithium pipeline capacity is slated to utilise DLE technology.

“Given the remote location of Rio Tinto’s lithium assets in the Lithium Triangle, reducing reagent consumption through processes like ELi offers a significant opportunity tominimise operational expenditureand mitigate supply chain constraints associated with chemical logistics.” Federico Gay, lithium analyst at Benchmark said.

Next steps under the MoU could include optimisation test work and possible updates to the ELi process flowsheet. Subject to further agreement, the parties may also collaborate on engineering design and cost estimates, with a view to begin constructing a pilot-scale plant at one of Rio Tinto’s lithium brine sites in Argentina.

Rio Tinto on track to become lithium major

The announcement comes hot on the heels of Rio Tinto’s recent acquisition of a minority stake in a brine project located in Chile’s Maricunga salt flats, in partnership with Chilean state miner Codelco.

Coupled with the Argentinian government’s recent approval of Rio Tinto’s $2.5 billion Rincon project, these developments are positioning the mining major to become theworld’s second-largest lithium producer by 2035 according to Benchmark.

Related Content

Infographic: Q3 results highlight challenges for major copper miners

In the third quarter of 2025, 18 of the largest 25 copper miners reported quarter-on-quarter decreases in their output, including the top four miners. The total Q3 copper production reported by the top 25 miners hit 3.72Mt. “In the third quarter, many companies saw lower production compared to the previous quarter. However, most did not […]

Copper Anglo American

POSCO forms JV with MinRes for Australian lithium mines

South Korean steel and chemicals giant POSCO has taken a 30% stake in Australia’s Mineral Resources’ (MinRes) 50% stakes in the Mt Marion and Wodgina mines for US$765 million. Structured as a joint venture, the deal would see MinRes and POSCO hold an overall 35% and 15% of the operations, as well as corresponding rights […]

Critical Minerals Australia

China implements export restrictions on cathode and lithium production technologies

On the 15th July, China’s Ministry of Commerce officially implemented restrictions on exports of technologies used in the production of high-density lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode active materials (CAM), effective immediately. The export of some lithium processing technologies will also be restricted. Companies wishing to export these technologies for […]

Batteries China

Will Rio Tinto’s move entice other mining majors into lithium?

For the last decade the world’s largest mining companies found the lithium sector not attractive enough to invest, given the relative geological abundance of the metal as well as small size and low barriers to entry. We previously discussed that it was probably too late for major miners to enter the industry for value – […]

Lithium Arcadium Lithium

Continued Mali unrest could disrupt lithium supply

Escalating unrest in Mali, as jihadi groups target fuel convoys around the capital Bamako, has led several governments including France and the US to advise their citizens to leave the country. The attacks have created fuel shortages, and raised serious concerns around the military government’s ability to maintain its rule in the country. Mali is […]

Critical Minerals Africa

Site visit: Altmin and Sudeep Advanced Material support India’s midstream ambitions

India’s pipeline of cathode active material (CAM) production capacity is set to grow more than 50-fold over the next decade. Altmin, Himadri Speciality Chemical, and Epsilon Advanced Materials have the largest pipeline capacities in the country. Almost all CAM capacity under development in India is for LFP, both due to the popularity of the cathode […]

Batteries Altmin

The UK’s domestic lithium ambitions

The UK lithium scene, through mica mining and innovative direct lithium extraction (DLE) projects, has an announced lithium extraction capacity pipeline of 78,000 tonnes LCE (lithium carbonate equivalents), according to Benchmark’s Lithium Forecast. For lithium chemical production, the UK has 6,000 tonnes LCE of operating capacity and a further 135,000 tonnes LCE announced. Most of […]

Critical Minerals Altilium

Rio Tinto eyes Arcadium acquisition to secure lithium presence

Rio Tinto is in discussions to acquire Arcadium Lithium, as confirmed by both companies on Monday. If a deal is agreed, this would catapult the Anglo-Australian mining giant into the top five lithium players and cement its position in the lithium market. “Rio has a global vision, and may have been preparing for such a […]

Critical Minerals Arcadium Lithium