Lithium Argentina Reports Results of Cauchari-Olaroz Stage 2 Study

04:36 PM EDT, 09/30/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Lithium Argentina (LAR.TO) after trade Wednesday announced the results of a study for stage 2 expansion of its Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project in Jujuy, Argentina. "The scoping study supports a brownfield expansion designed to produce an additional 45,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate at Cauchari-Olaroz," the company said, adding the study estimates an after-tax net present value of $3.1 billion and an internal rate of return of 28.5%, based on a lithium carbonate price of $18,000 per tonne. The company said it also plans to accelerate an initial 10,000 tonnes per year of the expansion using Direct Lithium Extraction technology, subject to regulatory approvals and permits. "It is the fastest and most capital-efficient path to incremental production, leveraging the existing infrastructure and permits, with a target for first production within two years," Lithium Argentina Chief Executive Officer Sam Pigott said. Lithium Argentina shares closed unchanged CA$7.83 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.