China lithium tech export curbs may benefit Eramet, CEO says

PARIS (Reuters) - Potential Chinese export restrictions on lithium extraction technology could create new opportunities for Eramet following its launch of lithium production in Argentina, the head of the French mining group said on Thursday.

China has proposed restricting the export of technology to process lithium, widely used in batteries, in response to U.S. tariffs, and Reuters reported this week that one Chinese company has stopped exporting sorbents, a piece of equipment used in lithium processing.

"So it will open potentially opportunities for Eramet," Chair and CEO Christel Bories said of Chinese export curbs during a presentation of Eramet's annual results.

"We are considering potentially using our technologies and our patents on the sorbents to enter into new projects, providing the technology but also participating in equity."

Eramet's Centenario project in Argentina started production in December and the group aims to reach a nominal annual capacity rate of 24,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent at the end of this year.

Eramet is studying an expansion of the project but does not expect to commit further investments before next year, Bories added.

Eramet is also in discussions in Chile to develop lithium deposits after securing a concession.

The group remains upbeat on longer-term demand for lithium despite a drop in prices and expects the market to rebalance from next year following a period of oversupply, Bories said.

(Reporting by Gus Trompiz; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)