Mining News - August 2025

Legislative News

Agreement Decree 1211 of the Governor of the Province of Catamarca, published in the Official Gazette of Catamarca on August 1, 2025

This Decree modifies the organizational structure of the Ministry of Mining of the Province of Catamarca through the creation of five new agencies

1. Provincial Directorate of Institutional Coordination and Cabinet, which reports directly to the Ministry of Mining.
2. Mining Police Directorate, which reports to the Provincial Directorate of Mining under the Secretariat of Mining Development of the Ministry of Mining.
3. Directorate of Legal Advisory and Reporting, which reports directly to the Secretariat for Management of the Mining Authority.
4. Directorate of Environmental Programs and Projects, which reports directly to the Provincial Directorate of Environmental Mining Management under the Secretariat of Mining Development of the Ministry of Mining Management under the Secretariat of Mining Development of the Ministry of Mining.

Decree 563/2025 of the Executive Branch, published in the Official Gazette on August 7, 2025

It eliminates export duties for more than 230 mining products to boost competitiveness in the sector.

The construction minerals included are: lime, cement, marble, dolomite, pebbles, paving stones, pumice stone, granite, and limestone. Also included are non-metallic elements such as borates, bentonites, quartz, potassium, talc, clay, and natural abrasives. Metallic minerals include: iron, copper, lead, zinc, ferroalloys, and residues.

Provision 182 of the State Secretariat of Mining of the Province of Santa Cruz, published in the Official Gazette of Santa Cruz on August 7, 2025

It expands and clarifies the scope of the Mining Producers Registry of the Province of Santa Cruz regulation, by modifying Provision 038/2025.

The Provision establishes three registration categories:

1. Holders of mining rights including: holders of more than ten first-category mines, holders of fewer than ten first-category mines, holders of more than ten second-category mines, holders of fewer than ten second-category mines, holders of a Discovery declaration, holders of prospecting permits (granted or not), holders of quarries, holders of fixed establishments operated in an artisanal manner.
2. Companies that transport minerals.
3. Companies that do not have mining rights granted by the Mining Authority, including those engaged in prospecting and/or exploration of mineral resources within the provincial territory, that enter into exploration agreements, contracts, or any other instrument with companies that do hold mining rights, and whose purpose is to carry out technical, logistical, environmental, or consulting tasks related to mining activity.

The Provision also establishes that the said entities must register annually and report any changes in declared data to the Mining Authority within ten business days.

Resolution 159 of the Secretary of Water Resources of the Province of Salta, published in the Official Gazette of Salta on August 14, 2025

This Resolution updates the water use fee for industrial and mining purposes for 2025. The value increases by 15.05% compared to the amount set in Resolution 034/25, based on the annual variation rate of the National Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Resolution 121 of Secretary of Mining of the Province of La Rioja, published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja on August 19, 2025

This Resolution establishes that, as of August 19, 2025, the regime provided through Law 10799 of the Province of La Rioja applies throughout the province for registering, classifying, and certifying mining suppliers and local labor.

This regime seeks to promote hiring of local suppliers and Riojan labor in the mining industry through a system of registration, control, and benefits associated with compliance by mining companies and suppliers.

The law:

1. Creates the Provincial Registry of Suppliers of Mining Companies (RePPEM), which is public and mandatory, and is in charge of:

a)    Registering and updating local suppliers;

b)    Maintaining a digital record of backgrounds;

c)    Enabling a digital space for job applicants;

d)    Standardizing reports and statements;

e)    Producing statistics on mining demand;

f)    Providing regulatory and financing information to suppliers.

2. Establishes mandatory registration in RePPEM for mining suppliers, who will have to renew the registration every year before June 30

3. Defines obligations for mining companies, including:

a)    allocating at least 70% of their contracts to registered local suppliers,

b)    prioritizing Riojan suppliers domiciled in the project’s department,

c)    hiring at least 70% of workers domiciled in the province,

d)    submitting three-year procurement plans and sworn statements listing suppliers and workers,

e)    explaining why they hire non-local suppliers, when applicable.

4. Regulates a system of infractions and sanctions.

5. Provides tax, fiscal, and financing benefits to mining companies and suppliers that:

a)    Prioritize hiring local workers, women (more than 20% of their workforce), or youth (aged 18 to 29).

b)    Carry out actions related to training, environmental quality, or cooperation with the provincial scientific-technological system.

Resolution 1271/2025 of the Ministry of Economy, published in the Official Gazette on August 28, 2025

This Resolution approves the application for adhering to the Incentives Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), under the “Mining” sector, “Potassium and Lithium” subsector, submitted by Galan Litio SA, for its dedicated Branch Galan SDE, holder of the single project called “Hombre Muerto Oeste (HMW),” to be developed in the Province of Catamarca with an investment of USD 217,090,266.

Mining in the media

“Luis Lucero: "By 2030, Argentina could supply 2.2% of the world's total copper” published by Ámbito Financiero on August 4, 2025

The Secretary of Mining, Luis Lucero, explained that, according to the International Energy Agency, there will be a sustained global copper supply deficit, and it will be necessary to extract at least 115% more copper than what was extracted in all of history before 2018, just to meet current trends. “In this context, Argentina could supply 2.2% of the total projected global copper production by 2030,” he emphasized.

Lucero participated in the opening of the mining event “Argentina Copper 2025” in the Province of San Juan, an international conference that gathered over a thousand participants and was aimed at defining policies, investment, and infrastructure to position Argentina as a reliable copper supplier in the global energy transition context.

“Vicuña mining company announces investment of over USD $15 billion in Argentina and will apply to join RIGI” published by La Nación on August 5, 2025

Vicuña, a mining company born from the merger between Australian BHP and Canadian Lundin Mining, announced an investment of over USD 15 billion (potentially reaching USD $17 billion) in Argentina for the exploitation of two mega deposits of copper, gold, and silver in the province of San Juan. This decision could be “the largest direct investment in the Argentina’s history.”

The announcement was made by Jose Luis Morea, CEO of Vicuña, during a mining sector conference held in San Juan.

“New gold rush: colossal discovery worth USD 37 billion” published by Más Energía on August 8, 2025

In the heart of the Salta Puna, at 3,500 meters above sea level, the Lindero mine unearthed 11 million ounces of gold, valued at up to USD 37 billion at the current price of USD 3,319.70 per ounce. This discovery, initially focused on copper exploration, not only highlights Salta’s geological potential but also positions Argentina as a key player in the global market for critical minerals.

“A Canadian and a Chinese mining company form a joint venture to develop three lithium projects in Salta” published by Minería y Desarrollo on August 12, 2025

Lithium Argentina AG and Ganfeng Lithium will create a new joint venture to consolidate the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project with Pastos Grandes and Sal de la Puna (collectively referred to as PPG).

Upon closing, Ganfeng will hold 67% and Lithium Argentina 33% of PPG, with ownership based on resources, capital contributions, and technological inputs.

To consolidate their regional growth, both companies will combine the three contiguous lithium brine projects in Salta into a new joint venture, creating a unified development platform.

“Glencore submitted two RIGI applications for copper mining worth over USD 13 billion” published by Ámbito Financiero on August 18, 2025

Glencore submitted two applications before the Ministry of Economy to join the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) for two copper projects worth over USD 13 billion.

According to Minister Luis Caputo, one application is for the Pachon project in San Juan and the other is for Minera Agua Rica (MARA) in Catamarca.

“Argentina breaks its historical record for mining exports” published by Panorama Minero on August 27, 2025

With USD 3157 billion exported in the first seven months of the year, Argentinian mining reached its highest-ever level of external sales for that period in 2025, according to data from the Argentine Directorate of Mining Promotion and Economy. The number represents a 44.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and exceeds the previous record, set in 2011, by over USD 400 million.

Gold was the main driver, with shipments totaling USD 2221 billion between January and July, accounting for 70% of the mining exports during that period. It was followed by lithium, with USD 435 million (+34.4% year-on-year), and silver, with USD 361 million. Together, metallic minerals represented more than 83% of the sector’s total exports.