Lithium producer Orocobre suspends Argentina ops on Covid-19 infections

Australian lithium producer Orocobre temporarily halted operations at its Argentina mine over the weekend of October 24-25 following positive Covid-19 test results among 35 of its employees, it said Monday on October 26.

The company is cleaning the site and rotating staff, and expects to resume operations at the site this week, it said.

The stoppage is not expected to have a financial or operational impact, it added.

Orocobre said it has a bio-security plan developed in accordance with established national regulations and best practice approaches within the industry in the jurisdictions where it operates.

The Olaroz lithium facility is located in the Jujuy Province in northern Argentina.

The company earlier in October said stage 1 ramp-up works for it Olaroz facility would recommence in financial year 2021 with capacity expected to range 15,000-17,500 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by financial year 2022, depending on product mix between battery and industrial grade lithium carbonate.

Stage 2 expansion works at the same site were approximately 40% complete but were forced to slow down due to Covid-19-related restrictions, it said earlier this month.

What to read next
Chile’s energy transition is reshaping its mining sector, renewable energy mix, and climate strategy, with lithium and copper production at the centre of global supply chains. Policy reforms, infrastructure expansion and green technologies are positioning the country as a leader in sustainable energy development.
California-based lithium-sulfur battery-maker start-up Lyten has entered a binding agreement to acquire the remaining Swedish and German assets of failed Swedish battery-maker Northvolt, the US company said late on Thursday August 7.
CME lithium hydroxide futures reached record volumes in July 2025, reflecting strong market momentum and shifting price structures driven by Chinese supply disruptions. Global exchanges are playing a larger role in shaping lithium trading trends.
Chinese battery giant CATL has suspended operations at its Jianxiawo lithium mine in Jiangxi after its permit expired, sparking price jumps in lithium futures and spot markets. Analysts note the halt could influence supply and market sentiment despite CATL’s assurance of minimal operational impact.
Spodumene production in Australia and Canada rose in the second quarter of 2025, with most producers maintaining profitability despite falling prices. However, several high-cost operations remain inactive amid ongoing market uncertainty.
Electra Battery Materials Corp announced on Thursday July 31 that it is starting metallurgical testing on cobalt feedstocks at its historic Cobalt Camp in Ontario and at its Iron Creek, Idaho cobalt and copper project to expand North American supply of critical minerals contained in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).