Argentina mining exports rise 75% amid copper and lithium boom

Argentina is experiencing a significant surge in mining exports, which rose by nearly 75% in the first half of the year. The sector is entering a major investment cycle driven by projects involving copper, lithium, gold, and silver. Projections suggest that mining exports could exceed US$ 35 billion annually by 2035.

In the Mendoza province, explorer Argentina Metals recently secured approval to expand its portfolio by four projects covering nearly 20,000 hectares. The company is focusing on the Malargüe District, a promising copper-gold corridor near the Chilean border. The company noted that previous political and legal obstacles under Peronism are shifting under the administration of President Javier Milei, creating a more favorable environment for exploration.

While the resource wealth is substantial, analysts emphasize that long-term prosperity depends on the country's ability to develop domestic technology, services, and human capital, similar to the mining ecosystems established in Australia and Norway.