PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Dual-listed lithium miner Orocobre has moved its Olaroz lithium facility, in Argentina, to care and maintenance, and has suspended all development operations related to the Stage 2 expansion.
The government of Argentina earlier this month enacted the Decree of Necessity and Urgency in relation to Covid-19, requiring a national mandatory quarantine and prohibiting the movement of personnel within the country until March 31.
While some exceptions to the restrictions apply, Orocobre said that the exemptions did not apply to mining operations or construction activities.
The company on Monday told shareholders that it currently held sufficient stock to meet customer orders until the end of April, depending on the restart of operations by customers in Asia and Europe. The company said that the supply to customers would remain dependent on the ability to transport and export products from Olaroz to ports in Argentina or Chile.
Meanwhile, operations at Borax Argentina have also been suspended with operations to restart once the quarantine order has been lifted, while construction of the lithium hydroxide plant at Naraha is currently unaffected, through Orocobre warned that there could be some disruption with Chinese-sourced equipment which could delay completion.