Industrial Minerals


South Korea continues resource push with Lithium One deal

July 2010

by Simon Moores

Lithium carbonate offtake deal struck with Korea Resources as North American developers look east

Keywords: Lithium One, Kores, electric vehicles, lithium-ion, battery


Lithium One’s Sal de Vida project in Argentina’s Salar
de Hombre Muerto Lithium One



South Korea’s urgency to secure critical raw materials for its hi-tech industries was exemplified again last month after Korea Resources Corp. (Kores) struck an offtake deal with development company, Lithium One Inc.

Kores will purchase up to 30% of battery grade lithium carbonate extracted from Lithium One’s Sal de Vida brine project in Argentina’s Salar de Hombre Muerto with the option of a further 20%. In return, Lithium One will receive funding of up to $15m. to produce a definitive feasibility study for the project.

There is also a possibility of the two companies coming to a regional marketing deal, Lithium One’s chief executive officer told IM.

“We anticipate finalising a marketing arrangement...