Mining Sector Pushes for Strategic Reforms Amid Record Exports and Investment Pipeline
Argentina’s mining sector marked Mining Day with a sense of renewed optimism and a bold growth vision. Authorities and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the sector’s progress, highlighting projected investments of US$33.3 billion by 2031, with the goal of tripling exports and doubling formal mining jobs, currently at around 100,000.
In 2024, mining exports hit US$4.63 billion, the highest figure since 2012, up 15% year-on-year. Gold led the charge with US$3.1 billion, followed by silver (US$641 million) and lithium (US$631 million). There are 62 active projects nationwide: 31 lithium, 18 copper, 5 gold, 4 silver, and 2 uranium.
📌 RIGI and Short-Lived Projects: A Key Industry Demand
Despite the positive outlook, CAEM President Roberto Cacciola pointed to pressing challenges. Chief among them is the urgent approval of the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). He emphasized the need to extend RIGI benefits to mature projects with limited life spans, which currently do not qualify.
“We’re working on an ‘extended RIGI’ so that investors will also back strategic assets with a 4–5 year horizon,” Cacciola explained.
The sector expects decisions on this matter in the coming weeks.
🏗️ Infrastructure and Financing: Structural Barriers Remain
Industry leaders also highlighted critical bottlenecks: infrastructure development (roads, rail, ports, energy), mapping of periglacial zones, lowering export taxes, and reducing country risk to attract more junior companies.
“Capital controls and delays on RIGI are real barriers. Removing them is positive, but country risk remains a major obstacle to new risk capital,” said Cacciola.
🎯 Looking Ahead to Arminera 2025
The event also served as a prelude to Arminera 2025, Argentina’s top mining expo, to be held at La Rural from May 20–22. Organizers expect over 20,000 attendees and participation from dozens of national and international companies.
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