Galan Lithium (ASX: GLN) has progressed Phase 1 construction at its 100% owned Hombre Muerto West project in Argentina to approximately 92% completion as it prepares to transition into testing and commissioning.
The company reported that assembly of the nanofiltration plant is advancing to plan, with construction expected to complete in the short term ahead of commissioning with raw brine.
Galan expects to produce its first lithium chloride concentrate in the first half of 2026, with the first shipment targeted for the second half of the year.
The nanofiltration plant, a critical component of the Phase 1 processing flowsheet, was recently delivered to site and is now being assembled on an accelerated timeline following fabrication and pre-installation testing in Sydney.
More than 25 personnel are currently mobilised at Hombre Muerto West to advance structural, mechanical, and electrical installation activities.
Construction Nearing Mechanical Completion
Once Phase 1 construction activities conclude, the project will move into formal testing and commissioning, including electrical, pressure and pump testing to confirm system integrity and operational readiness.
Following successful testing, commissioning of the nanofiltration plant with raw brine is expected to occur.
Galan has accumulated a substantial brine inventory in its evaporation ponds, positioning the company to transition efficiently into processing once commissioning is complete.
The nanofiltration plant has been designed with flexibility to support production beyond the Phase 1 nameplate capacity of 5,200 tonnes per annum lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
Expansion Pathway and Resource Base
Galan holds construction permits to expand Hombre Muerto West to 21,000tpa LCE and has potential to increase production to up to 60,000tpa LCE across Phases 3 and 4.
The company’s flagship assets at Hombre Muerto West and Candelas are located on the Hombre Muerto Salar in Catamarca Province within South America’s lithium triangle.
According to the company’s January 2025 mineral resource statement, Galan’s total resource inventory across Hombre Muerto West and Candelas stands at 9,501 kilotonnes LCE.
“Phase 1 execution continues to track in line with our development schedule—assembly of the nanofiltration plant is progressing smoothly and the integration with our evaporation and processing systems is well advanced,” managing director Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega said.
“With construction now around 92% complete, our focus is on mechanical completion and commissioning as we move toward first processed brine in early Q2 2026 and first lithium chloride concentrate in H1 2026.”
