Mining News - November 2025

Legislative News
 

Resolution 450 issued by the Mining Directorate of Mendoza, published in the Official Gazette of Mendoza on November 10, 2025 

It establishes that industries working with mineral inputs through processes such as crushing, grinding, calcination, mixing, or washing—including cement plants, concrete plants, and brick factories—will be considered mineral treatment plants under current mining and environmental regulations.

Accordingly, they must submit an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) before the Mining Directorate, to comply with applicable environmental legislation and with Provincial Decree 820/2006.
 

Resolution 462 issued by the Mining Directorate of Mendoza, published in the Official Gazette of Mendoza on November 17, 2025

It creates the Mining Projects Registry within the Mining Notary Office of the Mining Directorate, in which all applicants, holders, and operators of mining projects must register.

Applicants, holders, and operators of mining projects must submit an inquiry of good practices and a technical inquiry. In cases of exploitation permits, the technical inquiry will be mandatory and must include the minimum exploration program.

Failure to register will trigger the sanctioning regime established in Title XIII, Chapter II of Law 9529.

Resolution 877 issued by the Provincial Water Department of Rio Negro, published in the Official Gazette of Rio Negro on November 3, 2025 

The Provincial Water Department of Rio Negro approved the update of the Industrial Use Coefficient (Ku) applicable to the Metal Mining Industry, increasing it from 48.82 to 146.52.

Mining in the Media

“High-level meeting to unlock ‘the largest investment in Argentina’s history,” published in El Cronista on November 14, 2025

Ron Hochstein, CEO of Vicuña Corp, held a high-level meeting in Buenos Aires, where he outlined to top officials of the Ministry of Economy the next steps in the project requiring investments of more than USD 15 billion.

The importance of the meeting was reflected in a post by the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, on his “X” account:
“We had a very productive meeting together with Daniel González and Alejandro Lew with the new CEO of Vicuña Corp., Ron Hochstein; the company’s General Manager, Dave Dicaire; and the Country Director for Argentina and Chile, José Morea, with whom we discussed Vicuña, one of the largest copper projects in Argentina, located in the province of San Juan.”

“Glacier Law: The government sends a bill to extraordinary sessions to unlock investments in copper developments,” published by Econo Journal on November 14, 2025

President Javier Milei announced that he will send a bill to Congress to modify the Glacier Law during extraordinary sessions, allowing each province to determine which areas can be used for mining activities. The official goal is to unlock a series of investments, mainly in large copper projects.

“BBVA Research projects that local mining could exceed USD 25 billion in exports by 2033,” published in Revista Mercado on November 16, 2025

The study indicates that, with investments and stable conditions, mining exports could quintuple and surpass USD 25 billion annually by 2033.

Furthermore, it is projected that, by 2033, Argentina could supply up to 20% of the global lithium market. The group of internationally-scaled projects such as Josemaria, Los Azules, Taca Taca, El Pachon, and Vicuña involves estimated investments of USD 35 billion and could push copper exports to exceed USD 11 billion annually by 2033.

“Taca Taca: First Quantum confirms a USD 3.6 billion investment and 4000 jobs for the Puna region in Salta,” published by Ambito Financiero on November  19, 2025

The governor of Salta, Gustavo Saenz, held a key meeting with executives from First Quantum Minerals to review the progress of the Taca Taca project, one of Argentina’s most significant mining initiatives due to its investment scale, production potential, and impact on the regional economy.

During the meeting, First Quantum presented the plans for the next stages of the project, reaffirming that Taca Taca is moving firmly toward its decisive phase and highlighting Salta’s position as one of the most solid and predictable mining jurisdictions in Argentina.
 

“AbraSilver submitted a RIGI application for more than USD 500 million for the Diablillos gold and silver project in Salta and Catamarca,” published by Ambito Financiero on November  21, 2025

AbraSilver Resource Corp formally submitted its application to join the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI).

The decision marks a strategic milestone for the Canadian mining company, which plans an initial investment of more than USD 500 million for the future construction of the project.

The company expects RIGI approval to be finalized in early 2026, paving the way for early works and the subsequent construction decision for the project.