BUENOS AIRES, July 1 (Reuters) - Argentina's first plant for lithium batteries will begin operations in September, using metal extracted locally by U. "We will start to produce the first lithium-ion battery cells in the country," said Roberto Salvarezza, president of Y-TEC, in a government statement, noting that the batteries will use lithium carbonate extracted by Livent in northern Argentina. Argentina's Mining Minister Fernanda Avila said she hoped it would be an example for future projects