Lithium Argentina Secures RIGI Approval for Cauchari-Olaroz Expansion
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 14 2026
0mins
Lithium Argentina announced that the expansion of the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine operation under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime, or RIGI, has obtained the approval of the Evaluation Committee. "Securing RIGI approval is an important milestone in de-risking the Stage 2 expansion at Cauchari-Olaroz," said Sam Pigott, CEO of Lithium Argentina. Under the regime, the expansion requires a minimum investment commitment of $200M in accountable assets, with at least $80M deployed within the first two years from approval.
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Analyst Views on LAR
Wall Street analysts forecast LAR stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 9.710
Low
3.27
Averages
4.76
High
6.00
Current: 9.710
Low
3.27
Averages
4.76
High
6.00
About LAR
Lithium Argentina AG is a Switzerland based company, operating in the mining industry. The Company is a resource and materials company focused on lithium production, which involves pumping the lithium into ponds allowing for the water to evaporate and the mineral fall out of suspension. Lithium is a material used primarily in lithium-ion batteries, which have applications in personal electronic devices electric cars among other products. The Company has stakes in multiple lithium-ion production facilities located primarily in Argentina such as the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine operation, the Cauchari-Olaroz Project, which is located in Jujuy, Argentina, the Pastos Grandes project, located in Salta Province, and the Sal de la Puna Project.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Lithium Argentina's Expansion Approved Under RIGI Incentive Program
- Expansion Plan Approved: Lithium Argentina (LAR) announced that its expansion plan for the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine operation has been approved under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), marking a significant step in the company's strategic positioning within the lithium sector.
- Tax Incentives: The RIGI program will provide LAR's Stage 2 expansion project with 30 years of foreign exchange regulation, fiscal and customs stability, and a reduced corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25%, significantly lowering the company's tax burden and enhancing profitability.
- Increased Production Capacity: The Stage 2 expansion aims to add 45,000 metric tons per year of lithium carbonate equivalent production capacity, building on the existing 40,000 tons per year from Stage 1, which is expected to bolster the company's competitiveness in the global lithium market.
- Shareholder Structure Analysis: In this project, China's Ganfeng Lithium (GNENY) is the largest shareholder with a 46.7% stake, while Lithium Argentina (LAR) holds 44.8%, and local miner JEMSE owns the remaining 8.5%, reflecting strong international interest in Argentina's lithium resources.
See More
Lithium Argentina Reports Strong Q1 2026 Results
- Stable Production Capacity: The Cauchari-Olaroz project produced 9,660 tonnes of lithium carbonate in Q1 2026, maintaining operations near design capacity, with full-year guidance of 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes, thereby generating stable cash flow for the company.
- Effective Cost Control: Cash operating costs for Q1 were $5,391 per tonne, showing a decrease from previous periods, as optimization measures led to a continued reduction in unit costs, enhancing the company's profitability and market competitiveness.
- Strong Financial Performance: The company reported a net income of $49 million for Q1, significantly up from $31 million in Q4 2025, reflecting improved lithium carbonate prices and operational efficiency, which bolstered investor confidence.
- Expansion Plans Progressing Smoothly: The Stage 2 expansion plan at Cauchari-Olaroz is advancing well, expected to add 45,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate capacity, further solidifying the company's leadership in the lithium market and laying a foundation for future growth.
See More
Lithium Argentina to Release Q1 2026 Earnings Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Lithium Argentina will release its Q1 2026 earnings results before market open on May 12, 2026, expected to provide insights into the company's financial performance and market dynamics in lithium resource development.
- Webcast Details: The company will hold a webcast and conference call at 10:00 AM ET on the same day to discuss the earnings report in detail, enhancing investor understanding of the company's operations.
- Replay Information: A replay of the earnings webcast will be available on the company's News and Events page after the event, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access the information.
- Partnership Overview: Lithium Argentina operates the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine project in partnership with Ganfeng, advancing additional lithium resources in the region, demonstrating the company's strategic positioning in the global lithium market.
See More
Invesco Semiconductor ETF Underperforms
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- Weak Individual Stocks: Within the ETF, Nlight's shares dropped about 12.2%, while Tower Semiconductor fell approximately 6.3%, reflecting specific challenges these companies face that could affect their future profitability.
- Market Sentiment Fluctuation: The negative sentiment surrounding the semiconductor sector may prompt investors to reassess their portfolios, leading to further sell-offs of related stocks and exacerbating market instability.
- Uncertain Industry Outlook: The poor performance of the semiconductor sector could affect the financing capabilities and expansion plans of related companies, prompting investors to closely monitor industry dynamics to adjust their investment strategies.
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Lithium Argentina Shares Drop Over 6% Amid Block Trade Pricing
- Stock Price Decline: Lithium Argentina (LAR) shares fell over 6% in morning trading on Friday, primarily driven by concerns over block trade pricing, indicating market apprehension regarding its short-term performance.
- Block Trade Details: The company is involved in a 15-million-share block trade, with pricing indicated between $6.15 and $6.50 per share, which is below market expectations and may undermine investor confidence.
- Disappointing Earnings Report: Lithium Argentina reported a GAAP EPS of -$0.47 for 2025, missing expectations by $0.50, reflecting challenges in profitability that could impact future investment decisions.
- Production Guidance Outlook: Despite disappointing 2025 results, the company maintains an optimistic production guidance for 2026, indicating long-term potential in the lithium market that may attract bargain-hunting investors.
See More
NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator Declines Significantly
- Market Indicator Decline: The NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator has dropped by 150.28 points to 23,436.71, indicating weakened market sentiment that could impact investor confidence and lead to further selling pressure.
- Active Stock Performance: ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) fell by $0.74 to $40.49 with a trading volume of 9,484,281 shares, representing a 131.37% increase from its 52-week low, demonstrating strong investor interest in this ETF.
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- Stock Recommendation Status: OnKure Therapeutics, Inc. (OKUR) declined by $0.44 to $4.15, with a trading volume of 3,653,160 shares, and Zacks reports its current mean recommendation is in the 'buy range', potentially attracting more investor attention.
See More
Lithium Argentina's Expansion Approved Under RIGI Incentive Program
- Expansion Plan Approved: Lithium Argentina (LAR) announced that its expansion plan for the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine operation has been approved under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), marking a significant step in the company's strategic positioning within the lithium sector.
- Tax Incentives: The RIGI program will provide LAR's Stage 2 expansion project with 30 years of foreign exchange regulation, fiscal and customs stability, and a reduced corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25%, significantly lowering the company's tax burden and enhancing profitability.
- Increased Production Capacity: The Stage 2 expansion aims to add 45,000 metric tons per year of lithium carbonate equivalent production capacity, building on the existing 40,000 tons per year from Stage 1, which is expected to bolster the company's competitiveness in the global lithium market.
- Shareholder Structure Analysis: In this project, China's Ganfeng Lithium (GNENY) is the largest shareholder with a 46.7% stake, while Lithium Argentina (LAR) holds 44.8%, and local miner JEMSE owns the remaining 8.5%, reflecting strong international interest in Argentina's lithium resources.
See More
Lithium Argentina Reports Strong Q1 2026 Results
- Stable Production Capacity: The Cauchari-Olaroz project produced 9,660 tonnes of lithium carbonate in Q1 2026, maintaining operations near design capacity, with full-year guidance of 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes, thereby generating stable cash flow for the company.
- Effective Cost Control: Cash operating costs for Q1 were $5,391 per tonne, showing a decrease from previous periods, as optimization measures led to a continued reduction in unit costs, enhancing the company's profitability and market competitiveness.
- Strong Financial Performance: The company reported a net income of $49 million for Q1, significantly up from $31 million in Q4 2025, reflecting improved lithium carbonate prices and operational efficiency, which bolstered investor confidence.
- Expansion Plans Progressing Smoothly: The Stage 2 expansion plan at Cauchari-Olaroz is advancing well, expected to add 45,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate capacity, further solidifying the company's leadership in the lithium market and laying a foundation for future growth.
See More
Lithium Argentina to Release Q1 2026 Earnings Results
- Earnings Release Schedule: Lithium Argentina will release its Q1 2026 earnings results before market open on May 12, 2026, expected to provide insights into the company's financial performance and market dynamics in lithium resource development.
- Webcast Details: The company will hold a webcast and conference call at 10:00 AM ET on the same day to discuss the earnings report in detail, enhancing investor understanding of the company's operations.
- Replay Information: A replay of the earnings webcast will be available on the company's News and Events page after the event, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access the information.
- Partnership Overview: Lithium Argentina operates the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine project in partnership with Ganfeng, advancing additional lithium resources in the region, demonstrating the company's strategic positioning in the global lithium market.
See More
Invesco Semiconductor ETF Underperforms
- ETF Decline: The Invesco Semiconductor ETF fell approximately 3.4% during Monday afternoon trading, indicating market concerns regarding the semiconductor sector, which may impact investor confidence and lead to capital outflows.
- Weak Individual Stocks: Within the ETF, Nlight's shares dropped about 12.2%, while Tower Semiconductor fell approximately 6.3%, reflecting specific challenges these companies face that could affect their future profitability.
- Market Sentiment Fluctuation: The negative sentiment surrounding the semiconductor sector may prompt investors to reassess their portfolios, leading to further sell-offs of related stocks and exacerbating market instability.
- Uncertain Industry Outlook: The poor performance of the semiconductor sector could affect the financing capabilities and expansion plans of related companies, prompting investors to closely monitor industry dynamics to adjust their investment strategies.
See More
Lithium Argentina Shares Drop Over 6% Amid Block Trade Pricing
- Stock Price Decline: Lithium Argentina (LAR) shares fell over 6% in morning trading on Friday, primarily driven by concerns over block trade pricing, indicating market apprehension regarding its short-term performance.
- Block Trade Details: The company is involved in a 15-million-share block trade, with pricing indicated between $6.15 and $6.50 per share, which is below market expectations and may undermine investor confidence.
- Disappointing Earnings Report: Lithium Argentina reported a GAAP EPS of -$0.47 for 2025, missing expectations by $0.50, reflecting challenges in profitability that could impact future investment decisions.
- Production Guidance Outlook: Despite disappointing 2025 results, the company maintains an optimistic production guidance for 2026, indicating long-term potential in the lithium market that may attract bargain-hunting investors.
See More
NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator Declines Significantly
- Market Indicator Decline: The NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator has dropped by 150.28 points to 23,436.71, indicating weakened market sentiment that could impact investor confidence and lead to further selling pressure.
- Active Stock Performance: ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) fell by $0.74 to $40.49 with a trading volume of 9,484,281 shares, representing a 131.37% increase from its 52-week low, demonstrating strong investor interest in this ETF.
- ETF Trading Dynamics: Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X ETF (TSLL) decreased by $0.16 to $12.09, with 6,547,620 shares traded, reflecting a 92.21% increase from its 52-week low, indicating market expectations of volatility in Tesla's stock.
- Stock Recommendation Status: OnKure Therapeutics, Inc. (OKUR) declined by $0.44 to $4.15, with a trading volume of 3,653,160 shares, and Zacks reports its current mean recommendation is in the 'buy range', potentially attracting more investor attention.
See More
