Ganfeng Launches Mariana Lithium Project, Expands Global Lithium Supply Chain

Ganfeng Lithium Project

China’s Ganfeng Accelerates Lithium Production Across Argentina, Mali, and China

Ganfeng Lithium has officially begun production at its Mariana lithium chloride plant in Argentina's Salta province, strengthening its global lithium supply network. The company launched operations on February 12, marking a significant milestone in its South American investment strategy.

The Mariana project’s first phase features an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes of lithium chloride. Ganfeng plans to rapidly scale output upon phase completion. Its subsidiary, Litio Minera Argentina, owns 100% of the project, which holds a total lithium resource of 8.12 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).

Ganfeng Expands Global Lithium Footprint with Multi-Continent Strategy

Beyond Mariana, Ganfeng is aggressively scaling its global lithium production. In Argentina, the Cauchari-Olaroz project ramped up output from 6,000 tonnes in 2023 to 25,400 tonnes in 2024. The site targets 30,000–35,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate production in 2025. In Mali, the Goulamina spodumene mine began first-phase operations in December 2024.

In China, Ganfeng has established refining capacities totaling 50,000 t/yr for lithium carbonate and 100,000 t/yr for lithium hydroxide. The company opened a 45,000 t/yr lithium salts plant in Sichuan and launched initial production at a 25,000 t/yr lithium carbonate facility in Hunan’s Chenzhou city through its joint venture Hunan Anneng Ganfeng.

Chenzhou Mega Project Sets New Benchmark for Lithium Refining in China

Anneng Ganfeng plans to invest ¥7 billion (US$960 million) into a 150,000 t/yr lithium carbonate complex in Chenzhou. This project will roll out in three phases, with the initial 50,000 t/yr phase already under construction. These efforts solidify China’s position in downstream lithium conversion and reflect Ganfeng’s ambition to control the full value chain from resource to battery-grade materials.

Ganfeng’s total global resource investment now exceeds 79.59 million tonnes LCE. With assets in Argentina, Mali, China, Australia, Mexico, and Ireland, the firm remains a dominant force in both lithium brine and spodumene extraction.