Mining News - March 2024

Legislative News

Law 770 of the Province of Chubut, published in the Official Gazette of Chubut on March 1, 2010
This Law establishes the competences of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons which, among others, include assisting the Governor in all matters related to energy policies and the implementing of the hydrocarbons and mining resources policy.
Agreement Decree 290-DEyP/2024, published in the Official Gazette of Jujuy on March 6, 2024
This Decree creates the Provincial Registry of Local Suppliers of Mining Producers, appointing the Ministry of Mining as its enforcement authority, and establishing its procedure and sanctions for non-compliance.
Provision 1 of the Secretary of State for Mining of Santa Cruz, published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz on March 12, 2024
This Provision sets at ARS 908 the value of each Ore Transport Guide. It is mandatory for all mining companies that carry out their activity in the Province of Santa Cruz and transport minerals of any legal category within the jurisdiction.
Decree 170 of La Rioja, published in the Official Gazette of the Province of La Rioja on March 15, 2024
This Decree transfers the Secretariat of Mining and its minor organizational units to depend directly from the provincial executive function.
Provision 2 of the Secretary of State for Mining of Santa Cruz, published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz on March 21, 2024
This Provision modifies the amount to be paid for registration before the Registry of Mining Producers, establishing a differential price according to the mineral category in the Mining Code and the number of mining petitions requested in the province.
Resolution AM 13/24 of the Secretariat of Energy and Environment of Río Negro, published in the Official Gazette of Río Negro on March 25, 2024
This Resolution repeals Resolution AM 01 /2023 and sets new amounts for mineral transit guides to be transported or traded within the Province, and the new value for the stubs of mineral transit guides and internal guides (ARS  3500). It also establishes that the expiration and renewal date of the mineral transit guides will be February 28 and August 31 of each year.
Resolution AM 14/24 of the Secretariat of Energy and Environment of Río Negro, published in the Official Gazette of Río Negro on March 25, 2024
This Resolution repeals Resolution AM 002/2023 and establishes the value of the exploitation right for third category substances in fiscal lands of the Province. It also establishes the procedure by which concessionaires will pay the exploitation right on a semi-annual basis and determines the way to calculate the amount of the exploitation right for third category substances in fiscal lands of the Province (royalties).
General Resolution 10/2024 of the Public Registry of Commerce, published in the Official Gazette on March 27, 2024
This Resolution repeals General Resolution IGJ 8/2021 and its Annex A, and amends articles 212, 215, 217, 218, 218, 219, 222, 239, 240, 245, 249, 255, and 256 of Annex A of General Resolution IGJ 7/2015, which had established a regulatory regime for Foreign Companies. Following the amendments, companies incorporated abroad may register as “investment vehicle” companies, with a significant reduction of requirements for compliance with the Annual Information Regime, and with a recognition of the registration of companies incorporated abroad that have been registered in provincial jurisdictions.
Decree 256/24, published in the Official Gazette of Río Negro on April 4, 2004/2024
This Decree approves the partial regulation of Law 5669 on the regulation of activities related to the collection, commercialization, and transportation of non-ferrous metals.
Resolution AM 02/24 of the Secretariat of Energy and Environment of Río Negro, published in the Official Gazette of Río Negro on April 4, 2024
This Resolution approves the forms to be filled out by any person with legal capacity to act as petitioner in the mining proceedings, either by themselves or through a legal representative, to make operative the provisions of the Argentine Mining Code and the Mining Procedures Code of Rio Negro.
Resolution AM 03/24 of the Secretariat of Energy and Environment of Río Negro, published in the Official Gazette of Río Negro on April 4, 2024
This Resolution approves the Production Affidavit forms for first, second, and third category minerals. It also establishes a six-month (for third category) and quarterly (for first and second category) term for the survey of the information requested in the Sworn Statement of Production for Minerals, and sets maximum terms for submitting them.

Mining in the Media

“Canadian mining company starts engine in Salta,” published in Más Energía on March 7, 2024
American Salars Lithium signed an option agreement with Spey Resources and AIS Resources to acquire a 100% interest in the Candela II Lithium Brine Project, in the Incahuasi Salar. Candela II contains a lithium metal mineral resource estimate of 86,000 tons, which is equivalent to 457,500 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in situ, and a lithium yield of 48,000 tons of LCE from 9,000 tons of lithium metal.
“Posco was authorized to start works in its lithium plant,” published in El Ancasti on March 11, 2024
The company Posco Argentina, local subsidiary of the South Korean capitals company, was authorized to start building its lithium plant, based on the approval of its Environmental Impact Report for the exploration stage of the “Sal de Oro” project in Antofagasta de la Sierra.
“San Juan: Latin Metals expands its Esperanza copper project,” posted by Panorama Minero on March 15, 2024
Canadian junior Latin Metals announced it has signed a binding agreement with Golden Arrow Resources Corp to earn up to a 100% interest in the 3,500-hectare Huachi property, in the Province of San Juan. Huachi adjoins the company's majority-owned Esperanza copper project, which allows the firm to expand the exploration horizons of the venture.
“Salta: a new lithium plant will start production in 2024,” published by Ámbito financiero on March 20, 2024
Jakob Stausholm, president of the Rio Tinto mining company, announced that the company's lithium processing plant in Salar de Rincón de Salta will start production by the end of 2024. The firm plans to invest USD 350 million to produce some 3,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year.