Mining News - March 2026

Legislative News

Provision 175/2026 of the Argentine Undersecretariat of Science and Technology, published in the Official Gazette on March 3, 2026

This Provision creates the Special Technical Council on Energy and Mining, to assist the Argentine Undersecretariat of Science and Technology in defining policies, programs and actions, and in providing technical advice in scientific and technological matters applicable to the energy and mining sector.

Resolution 28‑ST‑2026 of the Technical Secretariat of the Ministry of Mining of the Province of San Juan, published in the Official Gazette of San Juan on March 12, 2026

This Resolution declares the Integrated Mining System as the authorized platform to manage, record, and oversight the payment of the mining fee, as well as to manage related obligations.

The system will allow recording payments; issuing digital payment slips and receipts; visualizing outstanding periods; calculating interest and penalties; and determining lapses, reinstatements, and vacancy status.

Additionally, as of the publication of this Resolution, mining fees must be paid exclusively through official electronic means, except where a duly justified exception is granted by an express administrative act.

Resolution 21/2026 of the Argentine Secretariat of Mining, published in the Official Gazette on March 25, 2026

This Resolution approves the Audit Procedures Manual of the Mining Investment Law 24196, to establish and describe the technical aspects and procedures applicable to audits on use of benefits and compliance with the obligations that fall upon individuals or legal entities registered with the Mining Investments Registry.

Mining in the Media

“Argentina Seeks to Ease the Sale of Land to Foreigners,” published in Rumbo Minero on March 25, 2026

The Argentine Government announced that it will submit to Congress a bill to amend the restrictions on foreign ownership of rural lands, to attract increased investment in strategic sectors such as mining, hydrocarbons, and agribusiness.

“We will amend the rural land law to lift the restrictions on sales to foreigners […]. Investments such as oil, mining, or agriculture require large tracts of land to be developed. We cannot allow these projects to be blocked by mere ideological whim,” stated the Chief of Cabinet during a press conference.

“Argentina and the Promise of Uranium: Demand Estimated to Grow by More Than 140% Worldwide by 2050,” published in Mejor Energia on March 24, 2026

Argentina is seeking to reactivate its uranium mining sector amid a global market expected to double its nuclear capacity by the year 2050. With 21 projects in its current portfolio and identified resources in Chubut, Mendoza, and Rio Negro, Argentina could achieve self‑sufficiency and begin exporting uranium after three decades.

“Neuquen Begins to Debate a Mining Royalties Regime,” published in Mineria & Desarrollo on March 12, 2026

Provincial legislators started debating the creation of a royalty scheme for exploiting mineral resources, with rates set to range between 2% and 3%.

“San Juan Promotes Mining Exploration through the Tendering of Nine Key Areas and Projects the Future of Provincial Lithium,” published in Panorama Minero on March 12, 2026

The Government of San Juan, through the Provincial Mining Exploration and Exploitation Institute (IPEEM), launched a public tender to award nine mining areas located in the departments of Iglesia and Calingasta, with potential for exploring copper, gold, and silver.

The head of the agency, Natalia Marchese, explained that the process will be carried out under a risk‑contract model, whereby the companies will assume the investment in exploration while the province will retain ownership of the mining rights.

“Mining Exports Grew by 80% and Exceeded USD 800 Million in January, Marking the Sector’s Best Start to the Year,” published in Infobae on March 8, 2026

The year began with a sharp increase in Argentine mining exports. According to the Argentine Secretariat of Mining, in January 2026 mineral shipments abroad totaled USD 812 million, a historical record for that month and nearly double the USD 446 million recorded in January of the previous year.

This increase represents a year‑on‑year growth of 82.1% and stands 168.4% above the average level for the first month of the year over the 2010–2025 period.

With these figures, mining exports accounted for 12.1% of Argentina’s total external sales, nearly one out of every eight USD.

“First Quantum Will Establish Its Exploration Base in Mendoza, Boosting Local Government Expectations,” published in Panorama Minero on March 6, 2026

The establishment in Mendoza of an exploration base by the Canadian mining company First Quantum became one of the most prominent announcements made by the provincial delegation during the PDAC 2026 mining convention in Toronto.

According to statements issued by the government of Mendoza, the company will open offices in the province in the upcoming weeks, a step that local authorities interpret as a concrete signal of the growing international interest in Mendoza’s geological potential.

“Mining Accounts for 95.6% of Catamarca’s Exports,” published in Panorama Minero on March 5, 2026

In January 2026, Catamarca recorded the highest share of mining in total exports nationwide, at 95.6%. This was indicated in the Argentine Secretariat of Mining’s monthly report on the provincial origin of mining exports. In absolute terms, the province exported USD 50 million in minerals during the first month of the year, placing it among the group of five jurisdictions that accounted for nearly the entirety of Argentina’s mining exports.

“Historic: Chubut Approves Uranium Exploration in Laguna Salada,” published in Mineria & Desarrollo on March 2, 2026

In a landmark milestone for the province, the government of Chubut granted Jaguar Uranium approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment permit for the exploration of Laguna Salada.

This is one of Argentina’s largest and highest‑potential near‑surface uranium projects. Specifically, the permit covers the Guanaco portion of the Laguna Salada asset.