Mining News - September 2025

Legislative News

 

Law 5805 of the Province of Río Negro, published in the Official Gazette of Rio Negro on September 1, 2025

This law establishes a regime that requires operators in the hydrocarbon, mining, and energy sectors—as well as all projects executed under Law 27742 (Incentive Regime for Large Investments)—to prioritize suppliers from Rio Negro. These suppliers must be defined and certified through a public registry.

Subjects included in the Law must ensure that at least 60% of the goods, services, and works they purchase or hire during the various stages of the project are provided by suppliers registered in the Rio Negro Suppliers Registry.

The enforcement authority may request reports, conduct audits, verify compliance, and carry out inspections. Non-compliance with the provisions regarding hiring Rio Negro suppliers may result in warnings, fines, and loss of tax benefits.

 

Resolution 241-CM-2025 of the Mining Council of the Province of San Juan, published in the Official Gazette of San Juan on September 10, 2025

Effective December 1, 2025, only the POSGAR 2007 reference framework will be used for spatial location of mining rights, and for cadastral and registry information processed or reported through the Technical Secretariat or its under offices. From that date on, procedures submitted under the previous system (POSGAR 94) will no longer be accepted.

 

Provision 211 of the Secretariat of Mining of the Province of Santa Cruz, published in the Official Gazette of Santa Cruz on September 25, 2025

This provision establishes the administrative procedure applicable to granting of temporary permits and mining easements in cases where no agreement is reached between surface landowners and holders of mining rights, within the framework of the Mining Code and Provincial Law 990.

 

Mining in the Media

 

“Anglo American and Teck merge to create a new global copper giant,” published by Panorama Minero on September 10, 2025

Anglo American and Teck Resources announced a definitive agreement to merge, forming Anglo Teck; a global mining company focused on critical minerals and ranked among the top five copper producers worldwide. With an estimated valuation between USD 50–53 billion, the new company will be headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and listed on the London (LSE), Toronto (TSX), Johannesburg (JSE), and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges.

 

“Japan: Catamarca launches agenda to boost mining investments, published by Panorama Minero on September 17, 2025

The provincial delegation, led by Mining Minister Marcelo Murua, held meetings with three of Japan’s most influential corporations: Sumitomo Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Mitsubishi Corporation, all of which showed strong interest in the global lithium and copper sectors.

 

“RIGI approved for USD 2.7 billion for one of the world’s largest copper projects,” published by Clarín on September 26, 2025

The government approved the 8^th project to enter the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), securing protections for investments totaling USD 15.7 billion over the coming years. This particular investment involves the production and export of pure copper in the Province of San Juan, and it is led by McEwen Copper, with nearly USD 2.7 billion allocated to the Los Azules project.

 

“Mendoza projects annual OPEX of USD 100 million in exploration and over USD 20 billion in exploitation,” published by Mineria y Desarrollo on September 26, 2025
 

Mendoza’s Mining Director Jeronimo Shantal announced at PERUMIN 37 that the province expects an annual OPEX of USD 100 million for exploration and over USD 20 billion for mining exploitation, based on its current project portfolio.

“In the first stage of the Pilares Plan, which includes four exploitation projects plus Potasio Rio Colorado and over 100 exploration projects, Mendoza would generate an annual OPEX of approximately USD 100 million in exploration. In terms of exploitation, the combined projects exceed USD 20 billion,” he stated.

Shantal highlighted that two copper mines could begin operations within the next two to three years. Additionally, exploration activities in uranium, lithium, and rare earth elements further position the region as a hub for critical minerals. The PSJ Cobre Mendocino project, for example, anticipates an investment of over USD 600 million and the creation of approximately 3,900 direct and indirect construction jobs, along with around 900 operational jobs.