Mining News - October 2025

Legislative News

Decree 647 of the Ministry of Government, Human Right and Labor of the Province of Salta, published in the Official Gazette of Salta on October 10, 2025

It approved the Agreement “Sustainable Mining Assistance Program,” entered into between the Province of Salta and the Federal Investment Council (CFI), and will have among its objectives to support the development of mining activity at the federal level.

The Program will carry out training, studies, project development, and access to financing for technical assistance in various areas, such as investment promotion or environment and natural resources.

Law 3960 of the Province of Santa Cruz, published in the Official Gazette of Santa Cruz on October 13, 2025

It establishes that companies operating in areas of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, mining exploration and exploitation, fishing, and other industries located within the province, or that indirectly operate through companies based in the provincial jurisdiction and provide services to them, will be required to give preference to hiring 90% local labor.

This must be proven through a minimum effective residence of six years in the province, with an address registered in the ID card and a certificate of residence issued by the competent authority. If it is verified that workers have an address matching that of the contracting company, the residence requirement will be presumed unmet.

Likewise, sectors covered by the regulations of Title VII of the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) of Federal Law 27742 must give preference to hiring:

1. 60% local labor with six years of effective residence in the Province of Santa Cruz, with an address registered in the ID card and a certificate of residence issued by the competent authority,

2. 30% local labor with six years of effective residence in the locality or city where the project or work activity in question is located, with the same required certifications.

Law 10834 of the Province of La Rioja, published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja on October 17, 2025

It creates the Environmental and Mining Participatory Observatory within the scope of the Ministry of Production and Environment, composed of an interdisciplinary and intersectoral team made up of specialists, academics, researchers, and representatives of civil society organizations with experience in mining matters.

The Observatory’s main objectives are:

1. Promoting research and the development of strategies that link mining activity with social license, environmental management, and energy efficiency.
    
2. Maintaining an updated diagnosis of the sector’s situation.
    
3. Coordinating contributions from government agencies, civil society, and the scientific community; disseminate national and international research.
    
4. Contributing to the design of public policies in health and education related to the mining sector.

Law 6475 of the Province of Jujuy, published in the Official Gazette of Jujuy on October 22, 2025

It amends article 7 of the Mining Procedures Code (Provincial Law 5186) and establishes that intervention in mining proceedings requires mandatory legal representation by a professional registered with the Jujuy Bar Association, whether acting as petitioner or in dispute.

Mining in the media

“Roberto Cacciola will remain at the helm of CAEM until 2027: ‘I take it as an important challenge,’” published by Ambito Financiero on October 2, 2025

The current president of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAEM), Roberto Cacciola, renewed his mandate representing Minera Santa Cruz for two more years, following the single-list elections held on Thursday, October 2.

“Simplifying logistics procedures for imported goods in mining,” published by Infobae on October 6, 2025

The Mining Secretariat of the Argentine Ministry of Economy simplified the procedure related to transfers, relocations, and decommissioning of imported goods under the benefit of article 21 of the Mining Investments Law (LIM), through which companies are authorized to import new or used goods, spare parts, and supplies without paying import duties or statistical tax.

To this end, specific procedures were created on the Remote Procedures Platform (TAD), which replace the processes previously handled through the “citizen submission to the Executive Branch” modality.

“The Lindero mine in Salta achieved its best gold production of the year,” published by Mineria y Desarrollo on October 8, 2025

Fortuna Mining reported third-quarter 2025 production results and stated that operations at Lindero reached the highest quarterly production of the year, according to the mine’s annual plan.

The Salta gold mine produced 24417 ounces of gold during the quarter, including 23001 ounces in doré bars, 1325 ounces in rich fine carbon, and 91 ounces in copper precipitate. It has already reached a total of 68288 ounces of gold in the first nine months of the year.

The 4% increase in quarterly production was due to a 5% higher gold grade and the recovery of inventory from the leaching pad.

“Gualcamayo obtains environmental approval to continue gold production in San Juan,” published by Mineria y Desarrollo on October 09, 2025

The Gualcamayo gold mine obtained the Environmental Impact Statement. The Ministry of Mining of San Juan granted the corresponding EIS for the Update of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) of the deposit located in Jachal.

“Entry into RIGI of a mega mining project in San Juan made official,” published by Infobae on October 14, 2025

Through Resolution 1553/2025, the Ministry of Economy formalized the adherence of Andes Corporación Minera SA, Los Azules Project, to the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI). It is the eighth project approved under this regime. The project operated by McEwen Copper Inc. involves a total investment of USD 2,672,171,207 in the province of San Juan and foresees the creation of more than 3500 jobs.

“Argentine mining achieves the highest historical level of exports driven by gold and lithium,” published by Sitio Andino on October 19, 2025

According to the October monthly report prepared by the Argentine Directorate of Mining Promotion and Economy based on Customs data, mineral exports totaled USD 4213 billion between January and September. This amount represents not only a year-on-year growth of 32.9% for the accumulated period but also comfortably exceeds the previous maximum level recorded in 2011, which stood at USD 3620 billion.

In terms of participation within the national trade balance, mining products accounted for 6.7% of total Argentine exports in the first nine months of the year.

Metallic minerals in the January–September 2025 period generated USD 3485 billion, equivalent to 82.7% of total mining exports for the period. Lithium has firmly consolidated as the second most relevant category within the export structure.

Likewise, lithium exports reached USD 594 million in the accumulated first nine months of 2025.

“RIGI: Projects reach USD 33 billion in mining and energy,” published by Panorama Minero on October 24, 2025

A report from the Rosario Stock Exchange reveals that projects submitted under the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) total USD 33876 billion, of which USD 15739 billion (46.5%) have already been approved and another USD 17864 billion remain under evaluation.

Of the total applications submitted, 983% of the capital corresponds to the mining and energy sectors. Within that group, mining represents USD 21953 billion (64.8%).

In mining, 73% of the requested funds (USD 16011 billion) are still under evaluation. Copper projects account for the same proportion (73%) of the total mining amount, while lithium projects add approximately USD 4665 billion.