Lithium Energy Ltd (ASX:LEL) has bolstered its in-country presence with the appointment of experienced lithium operations executive Raúl Di Lena as general manager of Solaroz S.A, the company's 90%-owned subsidiary in Argentina.
The key appointment comes hot on the heels of an initial maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 3.3 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at the flagship Solaroz Lithium Brine Project in Argentina.
Di Lena brings to the table his extensive lithium development experience most recently gained at the neighbouring Cauchari-Olaroz Project, which is owned by Lithium Americas and Ganfeng Lithium.
Read: Lithium Energy welcomes "significant" 3.3 million tonnes LCE resource at Solaroz in Argentina's lithium region
Major lithium asset
LEL executive chairman William Johnson said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Raúl’s calibre and experience to lead the company’s lithium development activities in Argentina.”
“Lithium Energy is focused on the development of our major lithium asset at Solaroz, where we recently confirmed a significant JORC inferred mineral resource of 3.3 million tonnes of LCE.
“Raúl’s operational experience with major industry players brings a key skill set to the company to progress Solaroz into development.
“Having just completed the commissioning of a 40,000 tonnes per annum lithium carbonate facility for Minera Exar S.A., which is located adjacent to Solaroz, Raúl has the ideal technical, managerial and local experience to lead the company’s local operations in Argentina.”
Notable experience
Di Lena is a chemical engineer with a 25-year career including senior positions with ICI Argentina and Akzo Nobel.
Most recently, he was the operations manager for Minera Exar S.A, the local joint venture between Lithium Americas and Ganfeng Lithium, which neighbours Solaroz.
During his time at Exar, Di Lena played a significant role in the successful development and commissioning of the 40,000 tonnes per annum lithium carbonate facility, including the optimisation of key parts of the lithium carbonate production process.
As well as this key technical role, he gained extensive experience in managing alliances with local government with responsibility for compliance with all local regulations and procedures as well as managing commercial partnerships with key stakeholders and preserving relationships with local communities.