Rosario Port Ships Argentina’s First Lithium Carbonate Export to China

Santa Fe solidifies its role in Argentina’s lithium supply chain

Governor Maximiliano Pullaro oversaw the shipment of Argentina’s first lithium carbonate export from Terminal Puerto Rosario (TPR) on Wednesday, March 05.

The 40-tonne cargo, sourced from Salta, is destined for China, marking a milestone in positioning Santa Fe as a key logistics hub for the country’s growing lithium sector.

A Strategic Step in Argentina’s Lithium Exports

Pullaro emphasized that the achievement was the result of coordinated efforts among provinces and private-sector players through the Gas, Oil, and Mining Committee.

“It’s no coincidence that the first lithium shipment is leaving from Rosario instead of any other Argentine port,” he stated.

“We’ve been working hard to reposition Rosario Port as a strategic gateway for Argentina’s expanding mining industry,” he added.

The event was attended by Minister of Productive Development Gustavo Puccini, Secretary of Foreign Trade Georgina Losada, Senator Ciro Seisas, and TPR General Manager Leonardo Feltrinelli.

Santa Fe’s Growing Role in Mining Industrialization

Pullaro noted that while Santa Fe is not a lithium-producing region, it plays a critical role in Argentina’s mining value chain.

“Argentina is betting on minerals and energy as drivers of economic growth, and we want to be a strategic partner in this industry,” he said.

He highlighted Santa Fe’s expertise in metalworking, machinery, and engineering, along with its highly skilled workforce, as key assets for integrating into the sector at scale.

To further this goal, the province is forging new alliances with other mining regions to expand the participation of Santa Fe-based companies in specialized mining services.

“Mineral and energy exports are projected to surpass those of grains and agro-industrial products, creating a unique growth opportunity for Santa Fe,” he added.

Details of Rosario’s First Lithium Shipment

TPR General Manager Leonardo Feltrinelli called the shipment a historic milestone, emphasizing that the port terminal is now fully equipped to handle lithium exports on a regular basis.

“The cargo is being containerized and will depart from Rosario for China in the coming days,” he explained.

The lithium carbonate comes from a mining facility in Salta with an annual production capacity of 2,400 tonnes. At current market prices, this could represent $240 million in annual exports for Argentina.

The shipment was produced by Eramine, a subsidiary of the French mining group Eramet, while Ulog Argentina, a logistics company specializing in mineral exports, managed the supply chain operations.

Lithium Trade: Export Frequency and Growth Projections

Future lithium shipments from Rosario are expected to be weekly or biweekly, further establishing the port as a key export hub for Argentina’s lithium industry.

The Salta mining operation is set to reach 2,000 tonnes per month by 2025, with an expected increase to 2,400 tonnes per month in the final quarter of that year.

To accommodate this growth, TPR has invested in expanding its infrastructure and upgrading storage facilities to meet the highest safety, quality, and sustainability standards required by the mining industry.

Additionally, the terminal is developing a second lithium storage facility to attract new mining projects scheduled to launch in 2026.

With this milestone, Santa Fe and the Port of Rosario are reinforcing their integration into Argentina’s lithium industry, positioning themselves as a key logistics hub for the global export of this strategic resource.