Mining News - June 2025

Legislative News

 

Resolution 735/2025 of the Ministry of Economy, published in the Official Gazette on June 3, 2025

 

This Resolution approves the application for adhering to the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) submitted by Rincon Mining PTY LTD for “Proyecto Rincon.”

 

Decree 396/2025 of the Executive Branch, published in the Official Gazette on June 17, 2025

 

It orders the merger of the Argentine Institute for Seismic Prevention (INPRES) into the Argentine Geological and Mining Service (SEGEMAR). Consequently, INPRES will be transferred from the Secretariat of Public Works to the Secretariat of Mining. According to the recitals of the Decree, this integration “will strengthen the production and dissemination of geological, technological, mining, and seismic information through a single specialized agency, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.”

 

Resolution 277/2025 of the Secretariat of Energy, published in the Official Gazette on June 27, 2025

 

This resolution repeals Resolution 785/2005, which had established the “National Program for the Control of Losses from Aboveground Hydrocarbon Storage Tanks.” It also amends Resolution 414/2021 regarding the Registry of Safety, Technical, and Environmental Auditing Entities, aligning its provisions with the new regulatory framework. Accordingly, Resolution 277/2025:
 

1. establishes a new Argentine Registry of Aboveground Hydrocarbon and Petroleum Derivatives Storage Tanks under the Secretariat of Energy of the Ministry of Economy,
2. approves the technical requirements, procedures, and conditions that responsible operators must meet for registration
3. establishes a sanctioning regime applicable to the entities subject to this resolution,
4. eliminates the obligation for operators to conduct environmental audits, requiring instead compliance with directives issued by the competent environmental authorities in each jurisdiction.

 

Judicial News

 

National First Instance Labor Court 3 in re “Confederación General del Trabajo de la República Argentina c/ Poder Ejecutivo Nacional s/acción de amparo,” ruling issued on June 2, 2025

 

The Court ruled to accept the jurisdiction of the National Labor Judiciary, recognized the formal admissibility of the injuction filed by Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), and granted the requested preliminary injunction. As a result, it provisionally suspended the effects of articles 2 and 3 of Emergency Decree 340/2025, exclusively regarding the CGT and the workers it represents, until a final judgment is issued.

This ruling is particularly relevant to the mining sector, as the suspended decree designates mining as an “activity of transcendental importance.” This classification implies that, in the context of a collective labor dispute, no agreement or imposition may reduce the level of service below 50% of normal mining activity.

For further information on the ruling, please see the following link.
 

 

Mining in the media

 

“Argentine Mining Consolidates as a Strategic Driver of the National Economy,” published by ONCE Diario on June 11, 2025

 

Argentina’s mining sector has experienced sustained growth over the past decade, with a 251% increase in exploration budgets. In 2024, Argentina ranked as the sixth-largest recipient of global mining investment. This momentum is largely driven by lithium and copper, which together account for 91% of current investment announcements. Moreover, mining is one of the few sectors in Argentina that generates more exports than imports, with nine USD exported for every USD imported.

 

“Mining Surpasses Energy in Argentina as the Leading Source of Foreign Currency,” published by Mineria y Desarrollo on June 6, 2025

 

A report from the Argentine Central Bank on foreign currency inflows from productive sectors in April revealed that mining outperformed energy, traditionally the top contributor to Argentina’s foreign exchange earnings. Mining generated USD 634 million in April, significantly exceeding the monthly average of the first quarter (USD 408 million). In the first four months of the year, the sector accumulated exports totaling USD 1.86 billion, compared to USD 1.075 billion during the same period in the previous year.

 

“Salta’s Mining Sector Grows 74% and Becomes the Province’s Second Largest Exporter,” published by Que Pasa Salta on June 8, 2025

 

According to recent data from the Salta Provincial Statistics Directorate, Salta’s mining sector generated USD 64.4 million in exports during the first quarter of the year, consolidating its position as the province’s second largest export complex. The sector has been expanding since the Lindero gold mine began operations in late 2020. It is expected to become the leading export sector once the three lithium plants that began production between mid-2024 and 2025 reach full operational capacity.

 

“Potential Uranium Discovery in Mendoza: What Is Known About the Malargüe Find,” published by Diario Mendoza on June 9, 2025

 

Mining company Blue Sky reported progress in uranium exploration in Mendoza Province, following the detection of radiometric anomalies at the Corcovo Project, located in the northeastern Neuquen Basin, within the Malargüe Department. This preliminary discovery could lead to a new strategic deposit, potentially suitable for in-situ recovery methods. Nikolaos Cacos, the company’s president, emphasized that “these findings represent a major step toward a potential second significant discovery for our company.” The site’s flat topography, year-round access, and proximity to roads are key factors supporting its development. The project spans approximately 20,000 hectares.

 

“San Juan Leads Argentina’s Mining Exports,” published by Mineria y Desarrollo on June 12, 2025

 

The Province of San Juan emerged as the top contributor to Argentina’s mining exports in the first quarter of the year, accounting for 35.9% of the national total. This places it ahead of historically significant jurisdictions such as Santa Cruz (34.3%), Jujuy (15.2%), and Salta (7.1%), according to the latest report from the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAEM). This export leadership is further underscored by the fact that mining represented 90.6% of San Juan’s total exports—second only to Catamarca (94.2%) and well above Jujuy (82.4%), Santa Cruz (82.1%), and Salta (63.3%).

 

“Argentina and France Strengthen Strategic Alliance with Key Agreement to Attract Investment in Lithium and Minerals,” published by Ambito Financiero on June 28, 2025

 

On Friday, June 27, 2025, Argentina and France signed a framework cooperation agreement in Buenos Aires aimed at promoting investment and financing in the critical minerals sector, with a particular focus on lithium. This resource, essential for the global energy transition, positions Argentina as a strategic player, holding the world’s third-largest lithium reserves according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The signing ceremony was led by French Minister of Foreign Trade Laurent Saint-Martin and Argentine Secretary of Mining Luis Lucero. Both officials emphasized that the agreement aims to position mining as a strategic pillar of bilateral relations, aligned with the global context of energy transition. Saint-Martin noted that the agreement provides a framework to intensify bilateral cooperation on critical minerals and facilitate the entry of new French investments in the short and medium term. Lucero highlighted that the agreement will enable the development of a joint roadmap and the implementation of “concrete measures” to expand France’s presence in Argentina’s mining industry.