Argentina faces execution challenges for critical mineral wealth

A report by the Institute of the Americas indicates that Argentina’s ability to become a major global supplier of critical minerals depends on execution rather than the size of its deposits. While the country possesses world-class lithium resources, an undeveloped copper pipeline, and significant potash assets, its success relies on overcoming specific structural hurdles.

The report, titled ‘Argentina: A Country Overview of Opportunities and Challenges in Critical Minerals’, identifies permitting, financing, water governance, and workforce gaps as primary obstacles. Unlike many resource-rich regions, Argentina’s main risks are categorized as political, macroeconomic, and regulatory rather than being tied to conflict or security.