Mining projects advance in Argentina's Cuyo region

Mining developments are advancing in the Cuyo region of Argentina. In Mendoza and San Juan, the company Andesmar has formed a strategic alliance with San Juan-based firms Sotur, Cominza, and Mitre Bus. This consortium is bidding for an international tender to provide personnel transportation for the Vicuña mining project, driven by BHP and Lundin Mining. The proposal involves a $60 million operational investment, including the acquisition of over 1,500 specialized vehicles designed for high-altitude Andean conditions. The project, which includes the Filo del Sol and Josemaría deposits, represents a massive global investment projection of $18 billion.

Separately, the San Romeleo copper exploration project in Malargüe, Mendoza, has reached a legislative milestone. The Mendoza Senate has granted semi-approval to ratify the project’s Environmental Impact Statement. Owned by LABSA SA and operated by Arex Mining SA, the small-scale operation is located in the Quebrada de San Romeleo. The project involves an estimated $3 million investment to process 40 tons of mineral per day, with a projected lifespan of 20 years. The extracted copper oxide is intended for the production of copper sulfate, a key input for agricultural and viticultural phytosanitary treatments.