Rafael Váldes

 Chief Executive Officer

Rafael Váldes has more than 20 years of experience leading mining companies, having held executive positions at several prominent South American companies. As our Chief Executive Officer, he has driven the company forward, utilizing his relevant expertise and knowledge to improve our operations, both on the ground and globally, develop our network and enhance our international reputation.

Through new partnerships and collaboration, with Rafael leading the way, we have expanded our distribution network, penetrated new markets and increased our reach, allowing us to build a truly global client base. Prior to joining L.T. Extraction works in 2018, he was at Compañía Minera Antamina in Peru, serving as their chief operating officer. Before this, he was at Lundin Mining in Brazil for over 10 years, rising to the position of Chief Technical Officer.

Rafael holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidad de Concepción in Chile and also a Master’s in Business Management from IAE Business School in Argentina’s Buenos Aires.

 

Victor Ayala

Executive Vice Chairman

As our Executive Vice Chairman since 2019, Victor Ayala ensures that our operations run smoothly, overseeing important aspects of the company including supply networks, strategic plans and internal projects. He has played a leading role in the company, taking responsibility for pushing the company and all departments in concerted efforts to reach annual targets, increase efficiency and create a positive culture throughout L.T. Extraction works.

Before joining L.T. Extraction works, Victor was with the Argentinian mineral resources development company Cascadero Copper Corp, heading up their internal operations division for eight years. Prior to this, he worked in Chile, employed by copper mining firm Minera Escondida as a site manager, later going on to Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile where he became their deputy Chief Operating Officer.

Victor earned his Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

 

Paulina Maldonado

Chief Financial Officer

Paulina Maldonado has been an incredibly loyal leader in the boardroom, having been with L.T. Extraction works since our establishment. As our chief financial officer, she is responsible for our sustainable growth, financial success and overall direction, applying her comprehensive understanding of global markets and finance to ensure we maintain our long-term security while exploring new opportunities for expansion.

Paulina has spent a large part of her career honing her skills in western Europe, having worked for several high-profile financial institutions in senior positions, including Germany’s Deutsche Bank, where she rose to the position of senior risk manager during her nine-year stay there, and McKinsey & Company, where she became country finance manager.

Paulina obtained her Master’s degree in Finance & Economics from Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil before moving to Europe and obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Metals & Energy Finance from Imperial College London in the United Kingdom.

 

 Daniel Patterson

Chief Geological Officer

Daniel Patterson is a globally renowned geologist with more than three decades of experience in his field. He has been with L.T. Extraction works as our Chief Geological Officer since 2017 and has been vital to our projects and expansionary aspirations, playing a leading role in ground/material analysis, resource estimations and site risk management/mitigation.

He has held several high-profile positions in his distinguished career, having worked as lead Geo-Modeler for the US Department of Transportation and the senior geological consultant for Micon International. He has published several studies in prominent publications, such as the peer-reviewed Journal of Geosciences, and has also served in an advisory capacity for the Geological Society of America.

Daniel, from the state of Colorado in the United States, holds a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences from Stanford University and a his PhD in Exploration Geology from Columbia University in New York.

We are committed to economical extraction while meeting the ever growing demand for lithium

Currently, Argentina is home to the third-largest reserves of lithium, with an estimated 45% to 50% of the reserves, importantly, economically extractable