Argentina issues Decree Overhauling Mining Investment Regime

On 22 June 2026 the Argentine executive issued Decree No. 482/2026, which fully replaces the regulations governing Law 24.196 on mining investments. The decree introduces a new annex aimed at simplifying procedures, digitalising the regime’s administration and revising fiscal and operational benefits for mining projects. Key changes include: the inclusion of mining service providers in the regime; an expanded territorial scope covering projects up to 500 km from a reference point; greater flexibility for project modifications without prior authorisation; clarified 30‑year fiscal stability guarantees tied to feasibility studies; streamlined electronic registration and reporting; and the use of environmental insurance as a tool for remediation. The new rules also detail annual information obligations, penalties for non‑compliance, and a 60‑day deadline for the authority to approve projects that meet technical conditions. By digitalising processes and clarifying benefits such as value‑added‑tax recovery for exploration, the decree seeks to improve legal certainty and attract investment to Argentina’s mining sector.