A Queensland uranium mine has been ordered to strengthen safeguards against the release of contaminants after elevated readings of arsenic, lead and uranium.

The owners of the non-operational Ben Lomond Mine, near Townsville, were issued with an Environmental Protection Order on Friday.

The order was issued in response to elevated levels of contaminants being measured both on and off the mining lease, Environment Minister Steven Miles said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Argosy Minerals has secured an option to purchase nine mining titles for the Rincon lithium project in Salta, Argentina.

Argosy will pay an upfront option fee of US$50,000 (A$65,799) immediately and a further US$50,000 when the Salta Mining Court approves the incorporation of the tenements into a mining group and officially registers the discovered mineral as lithium for the tenements.