POSCO Holdings is moving its Argentine brine lithium business toward investment recovery as its second 25,000-ton-a-year plant nears completion in October. Together with Plant 1, the operation will have annual capacity of 50,000 tons, while long-term contracts cover more than 70% of next year’s production and lithium hydroxide shipments to SK On are set to increase from the fourth quarter. POSCO Argentina reported 10.8 billion won in second-quarter revenue and 1.1 billion won in operating profit, a 10.2% margin during ramp-up, although an earlier account cited operating profit of 11 billion won; the figures remain discrepant. POSCO expects operating margins of 34% next year and 41% by 2028, with investment recovery possible as early as 2034. The company has committed about $2.3 billion to Plants 1 and 2 and more than $2.7 billion including mining rights. It has expanded lithium resources at Argentina’s Hombre Muerto salt flat from about 2.25 million tons in 2018 to roughly 15 million tons, and plans to add Plants 3 and 4 by 2033. Combined with Australian hard-rock assets, annual production is targeted at 173,000 tons by 2033, supporting POSCO’s goal of becoming one of the world’s five largest lithium producers. POSCO Argentina also holds approval under Argentina’s RIGI investment regime, which is expected to provide about $900 million in tax benefits over 30 years, while solar power, energy storage and AI-based remote operations are planned to improve efficiency at the high-altitude facilities.