Argentina Lithium LCA Data Research

### Project Overview

I am looking for an experienced **Master’s-level researcher / LCA expert** to assist with the **Argentina base scenario (Salar de Olaroz, lithium production)** for my Thesis Part B.

This is a **draft-stage research task** focused on developing and validating the inventory data before moving forward to the full LCA modelling. The work needs to be presented in a clear, supervisor-presentable Word document so I can personally review, understand, and discuss it during my upcoming thesis meeting.

### Main Requirements

The Argentina scenario should include a **stage-by-stage inventory** with inputs and outputs clearly separated.

The document should cover:

* Process stages for lithium production at **Salar de Olaroz, Argentina**
* Separate identification of **inputs and product outputs**
* Product output clearly stated as **1 tonne of Li₂CO₃**
* Inventory data for each relevant process stage
* Data sources for every numerical value
* Exact **page number and table number** for each sourced value wherever available
* Clear distinction between primary data, secondary literature data, assumptions, and estimates
* Justification for all assumptions made
* Clear flagging of missing or unavailable inventory data
* Identification of the lithium extraction technology used at Olaroz
* Verification of whether **Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE)** is applicable to the Olaroz operation
* Investigation/clarification of previously identified water-use figures such as **130 m³ and 51 m³**
* Sludge/Mg-Ca mass and composition, where reliable data is available
* Wastewater volume and composition, where available
* Any other relevant material, energy, chemical, water, and waste flows required for the inventory

### Important Data-Quality Requirement

Every important numerical value must be traceable to its original source.

Please provide:

**Value → Source → Page Number → Table/Figure Number**

If a value cannot be verified from a reliable source, it should **not be presented as confirmed data**. Instead, clearly mark it as:

* Missing data
* Assumption
* Estimated value
* Proxy data
* Data requiring supervisor confirmation

Do not mix assumptions with verified inventory values.

### Document Structure

The draft Word document should preferably follow a structure such as:

1. Argentina Base Scenario – Salar de Olaroz
2. System/Process Description
3. Technology Identification
4. Stage-by-Stage Inventory
5. Input Flows
6. Product/Output Flows
7. Water Inventory
8. Chemical/Material Inventory
9. Waste, Sludge & Wastewater
10. Data Sources and Traceability
11. Assumptions and Justifications
12. Missing Data / Data Gaps
13. Issues Requiring Supervisor Confirmation
14. Complete References

Tables should be used wherever possible rather than unnecessarily long explanations.

### Deliverable

**One supervisor-presentable Word document (.docx)** containing the Argentina/Olaroz base-scenario inventory research and draft.

The document does **not** need to be overly wordy. This is a **work-progress/base-scenario draft**, primarily intended for reviewing and collecting the inventory data before proceeding to the actual LCA modelling.

### Important Deadline

I need the **first draft within approximately 1 day**, preferably by **Wednesday**, because I need sufficient time to review and study the work myself before my thesis meeting on Friday.

### Quality Expectations

The work must be:

* Master's thesis level
* Research-based and technically accurate
* Properly referenced
* Transparent about data limitations
* Consistent in units
* Easy to audit and verify
* Professionally formatted
* Free from unsupported/invented figures
* Clearly structured for supervisor review

I already have my **Thesis Part A report**, and much of the relevant background will eventually be carried forward into Part B. At this stage, however, the priority is specifically the **Argentina/Salar de Olaroz base scenario and inventory data collection**, not the complete thesis.

Please apply only if you have genuine experience with **LCA, lithium production, mineral processing, environmental inventory, or Master's-level research** and can meet the short deadline.