Mining News - May 2023

Legislative News
 

Decree No. 286, published in the Official Gazette of Salta on May 3, 2023

This Decree approves Provincial Law No. 8371, which regulates the production, consumption and development of Biofuels and Bioenergy in the province. It promotes these aspects in the mining activities.

Resolution No. 106/203 of the Secretary of Finance, published in the Official Gazette on May 29, 2023

This Resolution updates the denominations and glossary of the accounts of the Classification by Purposes and Functions of the economic services and expenses of the province, including expenses and services related to the mining activity.

Decree No. 1440/22, published in the Official Gazette of Río Negro on May 29, 2023

This Decree modifies the province's Resource Calculation, including mining royalties.

General Resolution No. 08/2023 of the General Directorate of revenue, published in the Official Gazette of Salta on May 30, 2023

This Resolution incorporates Mining Companies as a withholding agent to the Tax on Economic Activities, modifying article 28 of Resolution 08/2003 of the same agency.

Resolution No. 199/2023 of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, published in the Official Gazette of the Nation on May 31, 2023

This Resolution approves the National Environmental Program for Territorial Planning (PNOAT). The Program consists of guidelines and directives developed within the framework of the national strategy, which address biodiversity conservation, reduction of land degradation, conflicts in relation to the main productive processes such as mining production, among other activities.

 

Mining in the Media
 

“Copper: Argentina seeks to position itself among the 10 largest producers in the world”, News published by El Economista on May 1, 2023

Argentina has a world-class copper project under construction (Josemaría site in San Juan) and three others in advanced stages of development (Minera Agua Rica Alumbrera in Catamarca, Taca Taca in Salta, and Los Azules in San Juan), which will allow the country to be among the world's top ten producers in the next decade, with approximately 810,000 tons produced per year.

“Canadian mining company finishes pilot plant and prepares for lithium production tests in Salta”, News published by EconoJournal on May 2, 2023

Alpha Lithium is about to complete the pilot plant of the Salar Tolillar project. It will start with the first lithium production tests in June. The plant will allow  to design industrial production at scale. The company plans to build a commercial plant for 50,000 tons of lithium per year.

“Lithium: during the first quarter exports jumped 133% year-on-year”, News published by Mejor Energía on May 08, 2023

According to official data for the first quarter, lithium sales abroad reached USD 233 million, growing 133% year-on-year, and closing in the same way, with unprecedented figures for the beginning of the year.

Thus, the level of lithium exports represented 27% of the total mining activity. Regarding the quantities exported, in March they increased 3.5% year-on-year, while in the accumulated so far this year they showed an increase of 22.9%.

“Lithium: the third production plant in the country will be inaugurated in June”, News published by Página 12 on May 17, 2023

Minera Exar, the project comprising the Canadian company Lithium Americas, the Chinese company Gangeng Lithium, and the state-owned company JEMSE from Jujuy, will start commercializing lithium carbonate in June. The Cauchari-Olaroz project will become the third operational project in Argentina and the second in the province of Jujuy. It will produce 10,000 tons this year.