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29 clusters · 157 sources · 116 days · First seen · Last updated

Argentina mining expands via US interest and regional pacts

Overview

Argentina’s mining sector continues to expand, driven by lithium and copper. While the industry saw robust growth through mid-2026, new developments highlight increasing geopolitical and regional integration. The United States is actively targeting Argentina’s lithium and copper to secure strategic supply chains, while regional cooperation has intensified through binational treaties and a joint declaration with Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.

In late 2026, lithium production and export capacity showed significant upward trends. Lithium exports surged by 186.3% in the first half of 2026, contributing to a nearly 75% rise in total mining exports. To support this, POSCO Argentina inaugurated Plant II of the Sal de Oro project in the Salar del Hombre Muerto, a US$ 954 million investment with an annual capacity of 23,000 tons of lithium carbonate. Other major projects are advancing, including Rio Tinto’s Rincón project in Salta and Eramet’s Centenario-Ratones expansion.

Recent developments highlight a growing economic divergence. While the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) has attracted billions in foreign capital for projects in Catamarca, Salta, and Jujuy, local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face severe instability. In Jujuy, business leaders report declining sales and closures, noting that since 2023, the country has seen the loss of over 230,000 jobs and the closure of 16,000 companies.

To address this, the government hosted the first RIGI Business Roundtable in Rosario. Organized by the National Ministry of Economy, the event aimed to link 43 large investment projects with over 1,800 supplier companies. Karina Milei, General Secretary of the Presidency, stated that integrating national suppliers is a central objective to ensure investment benefits reach the broader economy.

Entities

Argentina · Salta · Jujuy · POSCO Argentina · Gustavo Sáenz

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 22 sources
    Argentina RIGI Business Roundtable held in Rosario to link investors and suppliers

    The first RIGI Business Roundtable in Rosario connected 43 large investment projects with 1,800 companies to promote the integration of Argentine SMEs into mining, energy, and infrastructure supply chains.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Argentina economic landscape shows investment growth and SME struggles

    While the RIGI framework attracts major foreign investments in lithium and copper, Jujuy's SMEs face declining sales and job losses amid a lack of real economic growth.

  3. [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    Chile and South American nations coordinate on lithium and copper strategy

    Chile will tender five new lithium projects in 2026 to double production, while Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru seek to coordinate strategic mineral policies.

  4. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    EnergyX and POSCO expand lithium production and supply agreements

    EnergyX secured a US$2 billion lithium supply deal with Trafigura, while POSCO Argentina inaugurated a new lithium carbonate plant in the Sal de Oro project.

  5. [BUSINESS] 16 sources
    Lithium production expands in Argentina and Bolivia

    Argentina and Bolivia are advancing lithium industry strategies through new technology training, infrastructure demands in Jujuy, and an interministerial commission to develop Bolivia's 28 salt flats.

  6. [BUSINESS] 15 sources
    POSCO inaugurates second lithium plant in Argentina's Salar del Hombre Muerto

    POSCO has inaugurated its second lithium plant in Argentina's Salar del Hombre Muerto, aiming for a total annual production of 100,000 tons through future expansion stages.

  7. [BUSINESS] 26 sources
    Argentina lithium sector expands with major international investments

    Argentina's lithium sector is expanding rapidly with major projects from POSCO, Rio Tinto, Eramet, and Galan Lithium, supported by significant investments and the RIGI incentive regime.

  8. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    POSCO and partners inaugurate new lithium carbonate plants in Argentina

    POSCO, Río Tinto, and Galan Lithium have inaugurated new lithium carbonate plants in Argentina, including POSCO's Sal de Oro Project Phase 2 with a 23,000-ton annual capacity.

  9. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Argentina mining sector strengthens technical training and employability

    Mining entities and educational institutions in Argentina are enhancing technical training and employability for the lithium and copper sectors through new workshops and academic partnerships.

  10. [BUSINESS] 9 sources
    Chinese investment expands in Latin American lithium reserves

    Chinese companies are expanding control over lithium reserves in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Mexico, amid concerns over lack of transparency, environmental impacts, and violations of indigenous rights.

  11. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Lithium mining projects advance in Chile and Argentina

    Lithium projects advance in South America as Wealth Minerals resubmits its US$ 749 million Kuska project in Chile for approval, and Lake Resources receives environmental clearance for its Kachi project in Catam

  12. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Jujuy to host international lithium seminar to boost local industry

    Jujuy will host the 15th International Seminar ‘Lithium in South America’ this October, focusing on market recovery, international investment, and supporting local industry and employment.

  13. [BUSINESS] 18 sources
    Italy–Latin America SME Forum highlights Argentine mining and energy potential

    At the 10th Italy–Latin America SME Forum in Buenos Aires, Argentine governors promoted regional mining and energy projects to attract international investment for the global energy transition.

  14. [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    South American nations sign joint declaration on strategic minerals

    Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru signed a joint declaration in Santiago to coordinate strategic mineral policies and strengthen their position in the global lithium and energy transition markets.

  15. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Lithium industrialization efforts expand in Argentina and Mexico

    Argentina and Mexico are pursuing lithium industrialization, with Jujuy focusing on scaling production to compete globally and Mexico investing 175 million pesos in battery assembly plants.

  16. [BUSINESS] 15 sources
    Argentina Mining Norte 2026 attracts 10,000 attendees in Salta

    The Argentina Mining Norte 2026 convention in Salta drew 10,000 attendees, highlighting regional investment opportunities in lithium and gold, while Chile focuses on mining diversity and economic development.

  17. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Argentina exports rise 24.6% amid lithium surge and port labor disputes

    Argentina's exports rose 24.6% in H1 2026, led by lithium and agro-exports, though labor disputes at private ports are causing delays in key hubs like Bahía Blanca.

  18. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Mining industry expansion in Salta drives demand for local suppliers and specialized energy

    Mining in Salta, Argentina, is expanding with seven active mines. Local suppliers seek partnerships to scale, while YPF introduces specialized high-altitude fuel and logistics to support the sector.

  19. [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    Chile and Argentina approve USD 20.7 billion binational mining projects

    Chile and Argentina have approved protocols for USD 20.7 billion in binational copper projects. Meanwhile, Chile's mining sector sees rising female participation and increased startup innovation.

  20. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Argentina and Chile activate binational mining protocols

    Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru are strengthening cooperation to lead the global market in strategic minerals like copper and lithium for the energy transition.

  21. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Argentina faces execution challenges for critical mineral wealth

    An Institute of the Americas report suggests Argentina's critical mineral potential depends on overcoming regulatory, financial, and permitting challenges rather than deposit size.

  22. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Argentina plans lithium capacity expansion of 342,000 tonnes

    Argentina aims to expand its lithium capacity by 342,000 tonnes of LCE over the next decade through 12 advanced mining projects.

  23. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Argentina mining exports rise 75% amid copper and lithium boom

    Argentina's mining exports have risen by 75%, with copper, lithium, and gold projects expected to drive annual exports beyond US$ 35 billion by 2035 as the investment climate improves.

  24. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    United States targets Argentina's lithium and copper for strategic supply chains

    The U.S. is targeting Argentina's lithium and copper reserves to secure critical mineral supply chains, with mining exports projected to reach over $41 billion by 2035 amid competition with China.

  25. [BUSINESS] 14 sources
    Lithium and copper mining drive growth in Argentina and Chile

    Lithium and copper mining are driving growth in Argentina and Chile, though the industry faces talent shortages and regulatory challenges amid the global energy transition.

  26. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Eramet and Posco Argentina announce $558M lithium investments in Salta

    Eramet will invest $350 million to expand its Salta lithium plant, while Posco Argentina’s $208 million “Sal de Oro II” project in the Salar del Hombre Muerto received RIGI approval, together boosting Argentina

  27. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Argentina's copper surge and Peru's gold decline shape 2026 mining outlook

    Argentina's copper projects Josemaría and Los Azules boost 2026 mining exports, while Peru's gold output drops despite higher prices.

  28. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Lithium Prices Rise Sharply, Reviving Argentine Projects and Supporting Portugal's Boticas Mine

    Lithium prices jumped to $24,000/t in May 2026, boosting Argentina’s production surge and confirming Portugal’s Boticas mine can stay profitable despite market volatility.

  29. [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    Argentina's mining sector posts record 9.2% growth in May

    Argentina's mining output rose 9.2% YoY in May, driven by oil (up 19.2%) and lithium (up 45%), with salt extraction soaring 129%, marking a historic record.

Sources

03442.com.ar · 100seguro.com.ar · actualidad.rt.com · adnsur.com.ar · agenciaorbita.org · agronoa.com.ar · agrosinergia.com.bo · ahoradigital.net · airevision.com.ar · alminuto.mx · altavoz.pe · asiesnuestravida.com.ar · autoxarg.com.ar · bankmagazine.com.ar · barinoticias.com.ar · cadenanueve.com · canal13sanjuan.com · catamarcadigital.com · cedla.org · centraldenoticiasmadariaga.com · centrodeinformacion.manizales.gov.co · ciudadano.news · concierto.cl · conexionambiental.pe · conflictosmineros.net · construnoticias.com · cuarto.com.ar · cyprusshippingnews.com · delfino.cr · deolhonacidade.com.br · desarrollozonal.com · diarioformosa.net · diariolavozdelchaco.com · diariolibre.com · diarioprensa.com.ar · diarioprimeralinea.com.ar · diariorancagua.cl · diariosalta.com · diariouno.pe · divisionminera.cl · dossierpolitico.com · econojournal.com.ar · economis.com.ar · ecsintl.com · el-periodico.com.ar · eldia.com · eldia.com.ar · eldiario.com.ar

This summary has been updated 33 times: see revision history