The Chinese antitrust regulator review into a lithium project involving Chile’s state-run ENAMI and miner Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will be delayed by a few months, the head of the South American company said on Thursday.

ENAMI Executive Vice President Juan Carlos Saez told a legislative session that once approval is secured, the company will proceed with Rio Tinto to develop the Salares Altoandinos project, which requires an estimated investment of over $3 billion.

“They have just delayed it; it was supposed to be delivered around July or August. I believe they are going to delay it a few more months,” he told lawmakers.

ENAMI projects the initiative will begin operations in 2032 with an annual output of 35,000 metric tons, gradually increasing to 75,000 tons over three years.

(Reporting by Fabian Cambero, Editing by Iñigo Alexander)