The national government approved the entry of the second stage of the Sal de Oro lithium project into the Large Investment Incentive Regime. The project is being developed by South Korea's POSCO at the Salar del Hombre Muerto.
The announcement was made by Economy Minister Luis Caputo, who said the RIGI Committee had authorised two new strategic projects for the country. Among them, this new mining phase stands out in a high-potential lithium area between Salta and Catamarca.
The planned investment for Sal de Oro amounts to 547 million dollars. The funds will be used for the infrastructure required to expand production capacity and reach 23,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate.
The project is also expected to have a direct impact on foreign currency inflows. According to the official estimates disclosed, the new stage would generate more than 300 million dollars a year in exports.
The location of the development reinforces its strategic value. Salar del Hombre Muerto is one of the most relevant areas for Argentine lithium, and POSCO already has an established operational and industrial presence in the region.
The company links extraction activities in the Puna with logistics and industrial processing at the General Güemes Industrial Park in Salta. That territorial connection makes the project an important factor for employment, suppliers and associated services.
The RIGI approval was not limited to lithium. The official announcement also included the San Matías gas pipeline, an infrastructure project linked to liquefied natural gas export plans and national energy infrastructure.
With these additions, the RIGI is consolidating as a central government tool for attracting large-scale capital into mining and hydrocarbons. For Salta, Sal de Oro strengthens the link between lithium, exports and long-term productive development.
