The Diploma in Lithium Production and Strategic Critical Minerals provides you with a comprehensive view of the technical, economic, environmental and geopolitical challenges that drive the development of a key industry for the global energy future.
The transition to a low-carbon economy is transforming the industry globally and positioning lithium as a strategic resource for the development of clean technologies, energy storage, and electric mobility.
In this context, the growing demand for critical minerals and international commitments to reduce emissions are driving the accelerated development of the sector, generating new professional opportunities and increasingly complex challenges.
This diploma program was designed to train professionals capable of understanding the dynamics of the industry, developing technical and strategic judgment, and actively participating in projects related to lithium production and sustainable development.
The experience, applied knowledge and network of contacts you need to develop in one of the most strategic industries for the energy future.
Complete the form and instantly receive information about fees, curriculum, and enrollment benefits.
"It's a very comprehensive curriculum, and all the topics were presented by specialists in the field, with practical proposals to reinforce knowledge. The professionals who designed this diploma program understood that interdisciplinary work is the only way to tackle any project."
"The diploma program gave me a comprehensive view of the industry. Professionally, it was a huge leap forward, a very important challenge. It's a diploma program I highly recommend."
"The content of all the modules was incredible; this will create other opportunities in my professional career."
This postgraduate program is aimed at professionals and middle managers who are or are on their way to becoming responsible not only for the technical approach but also for the management of operational areas in lithium mining companies (managers, superintendents, etc.) or in associated service companies that provide support to lithium mining companies.
From an academic perspective, it is aimed at geologists, engineers, business administrators, accountants, etc., or those with secondary education that demonstrates experience in the sector.
First part
Module 1: The Climate and Energy Challenge . Description of climate change and its potential consequences. Forecasts and new technologies for achieving targets. The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. China, Europe, and the USA. Electromobility . Electromobility and the potential uses of energy storage. Dispatchable and renewable energy sources.
Module 2: Chemistry and Thermodynamics related to Lithium . Lithium. The element and its chemistry. Thermodynamics of compound systems. Binary and ternary diagrams.
Module 3 : Markets . Lithium Mining Business: Resources and Reserves. World Production. The battery market and its potential for added value. Resources and Reserves in the Mining Business. Global Overview and the Lithium Market. Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Australia. Junior Lithium Exploration Companies.
Module 4 : Lithium Geology, Part 1. Geological eras, formations, and genesis related to salt flats and pegmatites. Exploration in salt flats, geophysical methods. Sampling concepts, porosity/specific yield. Definition of resources, reserves, pumping tests, formal requirements for project feasibility. Hydrogeology and modeling of salt flats. Hydrogeology, modeling of salt flats. Extractability and production. Chemistry of different salt flats. Challenges of resource control and management. Water balances. Multiple extraction. Reinjection or other forms of deposition.
Module 5: Energy Storage . Energy storage, batteries and their different types and capabilities.
Conventional processes in the context of Industry 4.0 . Fundamentals of lithium production processes. Conventional production processes. Battery-grade lithium carbonate production. Energy and disposal challenges. Production processes from rock to concentrates. Byproducts: KCl, boron, and others. Sustainability. Industry 4.0. Circular economy.
Module 6 : Concentration ponds: balances and design. Balances and equilibrium thermodynamics. Pond operation, transfers, and production adjustments. Valuable byproducts and salt precipitation. Pond design and climatic factors. Equations of state and their influences. Process modeling and simulation.
Unconventional Production Processes and Lithium Products . Unconventional production processes, challenges, and constraints. OPEX and CAPEX inputs. Energy. New processes: selective absorption and nanofiltration. QA/QC description. Lithium hydroxide and other lithium products.
Module 7 : Sustainable Lithium Production Projects. Economic systems, public policies, and environmental conditions. Study scenarios. OPEX and CAPEX economic analysis. Environmental indicators for lithium production. Definitions of water and carbon footprints. The social integration of lithium production in our country. Creating shared value: communities and local suppliers. Positive Mining.
Module 8 : Regulation and Context . Mining codes in Argentina and their application to lithium, requirements in Chile and Bolivia. Permit requirements and applicable laws in general, with their different requirements in the three provinces, in Chile, and in Bolivia. List of applicable laws in general, allowing us to focus on specific ones. Developing countries and environmental goals. The minerals market, junior mining companies, and producers.
Part Two
Module 1: General Overview. Lithium Roadmap. Electromobility, general processes. Legislation, markets, batteries. Business risks and integration into society
Module 2 : Geochemistry of Lithium Brines and Pegmatites. Elements associated with Lithium: Rare Earth Elements, Tantalum, Niobium, Boron, Potassium. Development of Designer Salts
Module 3 : Markets . Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage. Factories for active materials, cathodes, anodes and batteries.
Module 4: Lithium Geology Part 2. Detailed Exploration. Definition of Reserves and review of projects in Argentina and their potential. General mapping of existing resources.
Water balance – Certification of reserves. Water balance management and water management. The concept of wetlands. Control and mitigation of water stress: natural and artificial mechanisms (groundwater evaporation and brine reinjection). Certification of reserves NI43101
Module 5: Energy Storage. Challenges . Batteries and their different types and capabilities. Future trends. Evaluation of different technologies. The Lithium battery and its challenges, REDOX batteries. Vanadium.
Lithium material production processes. Balances and equilibrium thermodynamics. Operation of ponds, transfers, and production adjustments. Valuable byproducts and salt precipitation. Production of lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, metallic lithium, and butyl lithium. Other lithium products. Repurification.
Module 6 : Economic factors of projects. OPEX and CAPEX: complete economic analysis. Definitions of Product Quality and logistics.
Unconventional Production Processes and Lithium Products . Unconventional production processes: challenges and constraints. OPEX and CAPEX inputs. Energy. New processes: selective absorption and nanofiltration. QA/QC description. Lithium hydroxide and other lithium products. Case studies.
Module 7 : The Science of Applied Sustainability. Economic systems, public policies, and environmental conditions. Study scenarios. The Sustainable Development Goals. Businesses and their management. Ecosystem services and stakeholders. Current problems and challenges facing the mining industry, including social and political dimensions; and what needs to change in how mining is integrated into medium- and long-term planning for water management, rehabilitation, energy efficiency, and mine closure.
Module 8 : Communication and Shared Value with Society . Legal Requirements and Industry Standards. Integrated Communication Concepts in Mining, the Concept of Positive Mining. The Necessary Revolution and the Strategic Positioning Model for Mining
(Subject to change)
The Faculty of Engineering of the Universidad Austral will issue the Academic Certificate of approval of the “Diploma in Lithium Production"to those who comply with the promotion regime."
Important: Discounts are not cumulative and are subject to availability.
PAYMENT PLANS
Request information on current payment plans and installment options.
AGREEMENTS
Does your company have an agreement with us? Check here for corporate benefits.
La Universidad Austral is #1 in Argentina
Private Management
Contact
