Highlights of the Program
2 days business program:
Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.
SHOWCASING INNOVATION:
Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.
leaders talk:
Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
MULTIPLE STREAMS:
A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.
SMART TECHNOLOGIES:
Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.
roundtable discussion:
Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.
Program
Day 1 :
MONDAY, 30 MARCH, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
CHILE’S NATIONAL LITHIUM STRATEGY: PUBLIC POLICY LESSONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE


José Inostroza
Ministerio de Minería
- Designing and implementing Chile’s approach to a national framework for lithium governance
- Balancing economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental priorities
- Providing key policy insights supporting sustainable lithium development across global markets
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON CHILE’S APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE LITHIUM GOVERNANCE
10:10 - 10:40
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
- Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
- Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
- Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues – don't forget your business cards!
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION
11:30 - 11:55
THE DLE JOURNEY IN ARGENTINA, FROM CURRENT PROJECTS TO FUTURE GROWTH


Azul Maria Gimenez Moreno
Magmatic
- Tracing the history of DLE in Argentina while reviewing current projects, technologies, and expected production growth
- Evaluating evaporation ponds and DLE across costs, efficiency, product quality, and environmental impacts
- Outlining commercial DLE technologies and their advantages, disadvantages, and applications in Argentina
- Exploring next-generation solutions such as membranes, electrochemical methods, and biotechnology to reshape competitiveness
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON THE FUTURE OF DLE PROJECTS AND GROWTH IN ARGENTINA
12:00 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH & VISITING THE DIRECT LITHIUM EXTRACTION EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
LITHIUM SEPARATION FROM MONOVALENT CATIONS USING SUPPORTED LIQUID MEMBRANES


Mauro Dal-Cin
National Resources Canada
- Addressing the challenges with conventional evaporation and solvent extraction methods for Canadian brine resources
- Developing new extractants and supported liquid membranes at the National Research Council Canada
- Analysing results from shakeout solvent extraction, flatsheet SLM, and hollow-fibre SLM using synthetic brine
- Advancing separation efficiency with SLM technologies to support future lithium production
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING LITHIUM SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES
14:00 - 14:25
COMPETING FOR LITHIUM: POLICY, COSTS, AND FISCAL DESIGN SHAPING GLOBAL SUPPLY


Nassam Estibill Zalaquett
Wood Mackenzie
- Evolving global dynamics and investment strategies are driving competition for lithium, with insights into future market trends
- Cost efficiency across extraction and refining stages, emphasizing emerging advantages in the lithium value chain
- The influence of government policies and fiscal frameworks on market growth, investor confidence, and global supply diversification
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON LITHIUM POLICY, COSTS, AND FISCAL DESIGN
14:30 - 15:00
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:00 - 15:25
LITHIUM AND OTHER CRITICAL MINERAL EXTRACTION FROM BRINE UTILIZING HYDRODYNAMIC CAVITATION


Ronald Otto Lincz
Avonlea Lithium Corp
- Scalable extraction process for lithium and critical minerals while outlining its core operational principles
- Third party verified results from pilot test and their significance for commercial readiness
- Design approach for the upcoming commercial extraction facility as the next step toward deployment
15:25 - 15:30
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCED BRINE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES
15:30 - 15:55
LiEX: A NEW DLE PROCESS BASED ON A PROVEN ADSORPTION PLATFORM


Craig Brown
Chemionex Inc.
- Presenting a streamlined single-column adsorption process, enhancing lithium recovery efficiency
- Demonstrating over 99% lithium recovery across a broad range of brine concentrations
- Delivering high-purity eluates through water elution while achieving exceptional impurity separation
- Reducing equipment requirements and operational complexity through an optimised process design
15:55 - 16:00
Q&A SESSION ON LIEX DLE PROCESS AND ADSORPTION PLATFORM INNOVATION
16:00 - 16:30
RESERVED PRESENTATION
16:30 - 17:30
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, 31 MARCH, 2026
09:00 - 09:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:30 - 09:40
OPENING ADDRESS
09:40 - 10:05
THE DISTRIBUTION OF LITHIUM-RICH BRINES IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, SET IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT


Peter Mullin
ETNR LLC
- Providing an overview of Central and South American basins with documented lithium-enriched brines in subsurface settings beyond salars
- Comparing regional brine grades and geological settings with global examples to highlight similarities and differences
- Identifying gaps in existing data while outlining key parameters that guide the discovery of promising basins
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON LITHIUM-RICH BRINES IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
10:10 - 10:35
COMMON PRODUCTION BOTTLENECKS OF LITHIUM PRODUCTS AND WAYS TO OVERCOME THEM


Oscar Angulo
Partickle
- Presenting common flow challenges such as blockages, segregation, attrition, and dust emissions in product processing
- Examining flow properties of lithium carbonate, hydroxide, sulphate, and raw materials and their impact on production
- Analysing the effect of flow behaviour on equipment performance, including silos, conveyors, samplers, and packing systems
- Addressing handling challenges while meeting strict requirements to minimise ferrous contamination in lithium products
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON IMPROVING FLOW AND HANDLING OF LITHIUM PRODUCTS
10:40 - 11:05
FREE, PRIOR, AND INFORMED CONSENT (FPIC) OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN LITHIUM MINING


Michael Rattagan
Dentons
- Federal, provincial, and international standards defining FPIC practices across South America
- Argentine case studies illustrating judicial disputes and evolving community participation
- Comparing Chilean and Argentine frameworks, identifying lessons for inclusive mining development
11:05 - 11:10
Q&A SESSION ON COMMUNITY RIGHTS AND REGULATION IN LITHIUM MINING
11:10 - 11:30
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:30 - 11:55
ENHANCING DLE VALUE THROUGH VALUE ENGINEERING USING O&G LEARNINGS AND INNOVATION


Raghu Damodaran
Kaleidoscope Energy
- Advancing DLE project efficiency by applying value engineering to reduce costs and technical risks
- Leveraging O&G digital technologies to enhance reliability, operational insight, and extraction performance


Jairo Velasquez
Rio Tinto
- Applying modular and scalable design approaches to accelerate deployment and strengthen overall economics
- Integrating cross-industry innovation to support bankability and lower long-term lithium production costs
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON DRIVING GREATER VALUE IN DLE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
12:00 - 12:25
BASE: DIGITAL BATTERY PASSPORT FOR RESILIENT SUPPLY CHAIN AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY


Shahin Jamali
Fraunhofer IEG
- Developing a Digital Battery Passport to improve traceability and supply chain resilience
- Applying circularity indicators based on the 4R strategies (Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle)
- Demonstrating industrial pilots that link lithium extraction with ESG objectives and business models
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON USING DIGITAL PASSPORTS FOR SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE
12:30 - 12:55
NEXT-GENERATION PLATFORM FOR SUSTAINABLE LITHIUM AND CRITICAL MINERAL EXTRACTION


Amir Vahid
Ocean Reviver
- Presenting an electro-nanofluidic system enabling efficient lithium recovery without harsh reagents
- Introducing field-controlled ion transport, improving selectivity and reducing energy consumption
- Showcasing an integrated platform supporting zero-waste, carbon-conscious mineral production
12:55 - 13:00
Q&A SESSION ON MEMBRANE-FREE DESIGN, ION-SELECTIVE MECHANISMS AND CIRCULAR RESOURCE INTEGRATION
13:00 - 13:25
INNOVATION IN WELL MATERIAL FOR BRINE EXTRACTION


Julian Fernandez
GWE Tubomin
- Advances in steel gravel pre-packed screens, with a case study from the Cauchari salt flat in Argentina
- Application of PVC gravel pre-packed screens, revealing operational benefits from the Atacama salt flat in Chile
- New drop pipe systems with quick couplings, enabling safer installation, supported by a case study from a copper mine
- Solutions for inclined wells, demonstrating enhanced reliability through a case study from a copper mine in Chile
13:25 - 13:30
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING WELL MATERIALS AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS
13:30 - 13:45
FEEDBACK AND RAFFLE DRAW
13:45 - 15:00
NETWORKING LUNCH
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