A model laboratory

The construction of the plant actually began in Trappes, France, at our research and Open Innovation centre. On January 21, 2019, over 15 tons of equipment were transported from this city in the suburbs of Paris to the La Puna site, where where it was reassembled to continue on-site improvements to the process. The equipment endured a lengthy journey of 11,000 km through the Andes.

From Buenos Aires, the convoy embarked on a 1,700 km journey across the northwest. It traversed mountain passes, including Abra de Gallo at 4,630m above sea level, with careful maneuvering to ensure safe passage across the La Puna region.

The setting up of a pilot plant on the site made it possible to continue the research on the process that began at the Eramet Ideas Research Centre, this time under the conditions prevailing at the Centenario site.The results proved promising, with yields of up to 90%. The pilot plant continued to operate, with the aim of refining these processes, right up to the construction of the plant, before being converted into a training centre.