2017 was a big year for many of Australia's lithium companies.
Investors did well from the likes of Galaxy Resources Ltd (ASX: GXY), Orocobre Ltd (ASX: ORE) and Kidman Resources Ltd (ASX: KDR), with shareholders enjoying gains of around 50 per cent or more over the course of a year.
But another lithium company, Argosy Minerals Limited (ASX: AGY), did even better for its shareholders.
The Argosy share price has skyrocketed, going from 2.5 cents a year ago to its current price of 35 cents, leading to returns in excess of 1,000 per cent.
And the Argosy share price continues to climb, notching up another 14.75 per cent on Friday.
Argosy is still an exploration company but has an interest in the Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina, located in the so-called 'Lithium Triangle', said to produce almost 50 per cent of the world's lithium and reported to hold about 70 per cent of the world's lithium reserves.
And is seems Argosy could soon graduate to lithium miner with the Rincon Project expected to come online in March this year.
Argosy, with a market cap exceeding $300 million, announced in October last year that it was "on track" to see battery grade lithium produced from the mine within the previously given timeframe.
With lithium demand expected to increase by around 200 per cent by 2025, according to Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, among others, there is potential for Argosy to cash in on the key battery-making ingredient.
But, while the company is expecting production to commence soon, Argosy remains a speculative share.
In the half year ended 30 June 2017 Argosy reported a loss of around $1.8 million.
As such, those keen to take a punt on Argosy may do well.
For others seeking exposure to the lithium sector without such high risk, companies such as Galaxy Resources may prove a better option.
