600-Bed Modular Worker Camp for Argentina's Salta Lithium Project - High-Altitude Camp Solution for the Puna Plateau

Project Overview

Camp Layout

The 600-person camp is designed with functional zones, including the following core areas:

Accommodation Zone

• 300 twin-bed dormitory units (approx. 16 m² each, with private bathroom)
• 10 two-story buildings, 20 rooms per floor
• Connected corridors with open layout to minimize land use

Amenities Zone

• Dining hall: seats 200 persons, equipped with professional kitchen
• Shower rooms and laundry: centralized hot water system for shift workers
• Recreation room: satellite TV, table tennis, fitness equipment
• Wi-Fi coverage across the entire camp

Office & Administration Zone

• Mine site office: meeting rooms, dispatch center, engineer workstations
• Medical room: first aid and altitude sickness treatment
• Security booth and access control system

Infrastructure

• Complete water supply, drainage system, and septic tanks
• Diesel generator set (backup power)
• Fuel-fired hot water boiler (central heating and hot water)
• External grid connection (mine-owned power station)

Custom Design for High-Altitude Environment

The Puna Plateau's conditions impose special requirements on building materials:

Insulation

• Walls: 50mm rock wool composite panels; Roof: 75mm polyurethane composite panels
• Double-layer Low-E hollow glass windows to minimize heat loss
• Electric heaters in dormitories, maintaining indoor temperature above 18°C even in extreme winter cold

UV Protection

• Exterior coating: weather-resistant PVDF fluorocarbon paint against intense high-altitude UV radiation
• Light-colored roof coating to reflect solar radiation and reduce summer indoor temperature

Ventilation & Oxygen

• At 3,700m altitude, oxygen content is only ~60% of sea level; mechanical ventilation in all dormitories
• Oxygen concentrator interface reserved in common areas

Wind Resistance

• Folding container houses bolted to concrete foundations, rated for wind loads up to 12
• Sealed corridor design to prevent dust and cold air ingress

Logistics & Installation

1. Units folded to transport state before sea freight, reducing volume by ~70%
2. Sea freight from Shanghai Port to Antofagasta, Chile (~35 days)
3. Overland transport across the Andes to Salta mining site (~700 km, 5 days)
4. Local construction crew with 9States technical guidance for installation
5. Each dormitory unit can be unfolded and fixed within 2 hours
6. Full camp ready for occupancy within 30 days of arrival

Client Feedback

"The plateau climate was a huge challenge for us and our workers. 9States' folding container solution solved our accommodation needs in record time. The wall insulation was impressive — even on sub-zero winter nights, the rooms were far more comfortable than we expected."
— On-site Construction Manager, Salta Lithium Project

Conclusion

As the global EV industry drives surging lithium demand, Argentina's Puna Plateau is emerging as a hotspot for lithium mining development. High altitude, extreme temperature swings, and remote locations present significant accommodation challenges — and modular construction offers a solution built on speed and reliability.

9States is committed to delivering high-quality modular camps for mining clients worldwide, ensuring every mine has dignified worker accommodation.