PARIS, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Potential Chinese export

restrictions on lithium extraction technology could create new

opportunities for Eramet following its launch of

lithium production in Argentina, the head of the French mining

group said on Thursday.

China has proposed restricting the export of technology to

process lithium, widely used in batteries, in response to U.S.

tariffs, and Reuters reported this week that one Chinese company

has stopped exporting sorbents, a piece of equipment used in

lithium processing.

"So it will open potentially opportunities for Eramet,"

Chair and CEO Christel Bories said of Chinese export curbs

during a presentation of Eramet's annual results.

"We are considering potentially using our technologies and

our patents on the sorbents to enter into new projects,

providing the technology but also participating in equity."

Eramet's Centenario project in Argentina started production

in December and the group aims to reach a nominal annual

capacity rate of 24,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate

equivalent at the end of this year.

Eramet is studying an expansion of the project but does not

expect to commit further investments before next year, Bories

added.

Eramet is also in discussions in Chile to develop lithium

deposits after securing a concession.

The group remains upbeat on longer-term demand for lithium

despite a drop in prices and expects the market to rebalance

from next year following a period of oversupply, Bories said.