Project snapshot
Project: Centenario Ratones Lithium Production Plant
Location: Salar Centenario Ratones, Department of Los Andes, Salta Province, Argentina (3,800m above sea level)
Client: Eramine Sudamérica S.A. (subsidiary of Eramet Group, France / Tsingshan, China)
Delivery model: Direct supply, Ex Works. Client arranged logistics to Argentina.
Scope: 2no. SRHE/50/DL electrically operated double-leaf roof access hatches (5000 x 5500mm structural opening), with electrical control boxes, battery back-up, key switch controls, painted finish, removable lifting eyes, spare actuators, and 5 days supervisory installation attendance.
The project
The Centenario Ratones plant is one of the most significant lithium projects in South America. Operated by Eramine Sudamérica S.A. — a joint venture between French mining group Eramet (50.1%) and Chinese steelmaker Tsingshan (49.9%) — the plant uses advanced Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to produce 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year from brine pumped from beneath the salt flat. Representing an investment of over US$800 million, the plant was commissioned in July 2024 and delivered its first production run at the end of that year. It is the first lithium production facility in Salta province and the fourth in Argentina.
The site sits on the Puna — the high-altitude Andean plateau — at nearly 4,000 metres elevation, 290 kilometres from the city of Salta. It is an extreme operating environment: arid, exposed to strong winds and UV radiation, with temperatures dropping below –25°C and heavy seasonal snow loading.
The challenge
Providing roof-level access to process buildings at this altitude and in this climate presented a demanding engineering brief. Each hatch needed to span a 5000 x 5500mm structural opening — large enough to lift equipment through — while withstanding a combination of environmental loads rarely seen in a single specification:
- Survival wind speed: 38 m/s (137 km/h)
- Negative uplift pressure: 137 kg/m²
- Positive downward pressure: 32 kg/m²
- Operational wind speed: 9 m/s (20 mph)
- Snow loading: 93 kg/m²
- Seismic Zone 2 (C=0.29G)
The hatches also needed to operate electrically with full battery back-up — essential for a remote site where power reliability cannot be guaranteed — and withstand the corrosive effects of a high-altitude, arid environment with extreme UV exposure.
Surespan’s solution
Surespan designed and manufactured two bespoke SRHE/50/DL aluminium, thermally broken, electrically operated double-leaf roof access hatches, each configured to the project’s specific performance requirements:
- 5000 x 5500mm structural opening — double-leaf configuration
- Thermally broken aluminium construction (extrusion 6063T6, sheet 1050 H14)
- 50mm CFC/HCFC-free polyisocyanurate insulation in lid and 300mm upstand, achieving a U-value of 0.43 W/m²K
- EPDM bubble seal for weathertight closure
- Sequenced electric operation via 24V DC synchronised actuators (2 per leaf)
- Battery back-up for operation during power failure
- IP54-rated key switch control
- Aluminium curb liner for compatibility with hot-applied weatherproofing systems
- Purpose-made flashing to upstand
- Removable lifting eyes
Finish and corrosion protection
Given the extreme high-altitude UV exposure and harsh environmental conditions, the hatches were finished with a two-coat paint system rather than standard self-colour aluminium:
- Base coat: Intergard 345
- Top coat: Interthane 990
- Colour: Grey
This high-performance industrial paint system provides long-term protection against UV degradation, temperature cycling, and the abrasive dust conditions typical of the Puna environment.
Delivery and installation support
Due to their size, both hatches were supplied in sections for reassembly on site by others. Surespan provided a comprehensive documentation package including shop drawings, electrical schematics, builders work drawings, method statements, operation and maintenance manuals, and inspection certificates. The scope included 5 days of supervisory attendance by a Surespan engineer at the project site in Argentina, along with a two-year supply of spare actuators. Legalisation of commercial invoices and certificates of origin was provided for Argentine customs clearance.
