AZL General Discussion, page-22440

Eramet and Tsingshan open direct lithium extraction plant in Argentina
https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/eramet-and-tsingshan-open-direct-lithium-extraction-plant-in-argentina

The plant, a joint venture with China’s Tsingshan, is set to start producing battery-grade lithium carbonate from the Centenario- Ratones salar in November, and ramp-up to full production by the middle of next year. It’s set to have capacity to produce 24,000 tonnes a year of battery-grade lithium carbonate, at a cost of between $4,500 to $5,000 a tonne.

Capital costs
One hurdle to the application of DLE has been the cost to construct and build new plants. Eramet partnered with China’s Tsingshan, however, which has deep experience building plants in Indonesia. Eramet said the cost of the first phase of its plant, which is at 4,000 metres above sea level, was $870 million. It took three years to construct.

Eramet's brine average is 407 mg/L, even with 3 x higher grade in Argentina the opex is nearly double. Flow rates matter, it's about the motion of your ocean.