Speaker · Argentina Space 2026
José Gustavo de Castro Alem
Alchemia Space Resources
A chemical engineer (UNSa) with a long career in lithium, gold and silver mining: he led the Salar de Olaroz project to commercial operation and is now CEO for South America of Lithium Chile. He is studying for the Space Resources master's at the Colorado School of Mines and works on the link between the Lithium Triangle and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) beyond Earth.
November 11, 12 and 13, 2026 · Salta Convention Center
About
José Gustavo de Castro Alem is a chemical engineer from Universidad Nacional de Salta with a long career in international mining: lithium, gold, silver, potash and clean energy. A Qualified Person of the Canadian Institute of Mining, he has led binational teams and coordinated negotiations with governments, investors and communities. He is currently studying for the Space Resources master's at the Colorado School of Mines and, through Alchemia Space Resources, works on the link between the Lithium Triangle and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) beyond Earth.
As Country Manager of Orocobre and General Manager of Sales de Jujuy he led the Salar de Olaroz lithium project from feasibility to commercial operation of its lithium carbonate plant, and took part in developing a patented process for battery-grade lithium carbonate. He went on to lead NRG Metals' lithium project and the Casposo mine in San Juan. He is CEO for South America and a board member of Lithium Chile, director of the Lithium Production diploma at Universidad Austral's School of Engineering, and founder of Minería Positiva.
On the program
- Lunar habitat architecture and in-situ resource processing (ISRU)
- Space resources roundtable and debate · Space resources, habitats and astrobiology
Career highlights
- CEO for South America and board member, Lithium Chile (since 2018)
- Director of the Lithium Production diploma, School of Engineering, Universidad Austral (since 2018)
- COO, Integra Capital (since 2018)
- Lithium project director and COO, NRG Metals (2016–2018)
- General Manager, Casposo, Austral Gold (2015–2017)
- Country Manager, Orocobre, and General Manager, Sales de Jujuy (2010–2015)
- Plant Manager, Cerro Vanguardia (2007–2008)
Education
- Master's in Space Resources, Colorado School of Mines (in progress)
- MBA, Institute for Executive Development (Antofagasta, Chile)
- CEO's Management Program, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
- Master's in Strategy and Marketing Consulting, UCAM
- Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Salta
Join the founding core of Argentina's New Space.
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