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Argentina mining expands via US interest and regional pacts

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2026-09-09 20:20 UTC → 2026-09-14 19:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Argentina’s mining sector continues to expand, driven by lithium and copper. While the industry has seen 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 for the energy transition and reduce dependence on China. Lithium production is poised for significant scaling. A study by the Argentine Industrial Union, the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies, and the Inter-American Development Bank indicates a potential capacity expansion of 342,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) over the next decade. This growth is supported by 12 advanced projects. While the country currently has seven active operations with an installed capacity of 200,770 tonnes of LCE, effective production for 2025 is estimated at 115,000 tonnes, or roughly 57% of capacity. By 2035, effective production is projected to average 70% of installed capacity. In the first half of 2026, Argentine mining exports reached a record US$4.742 billion, a nearly 75% increase from the US$2.712 billion recorded in H1 2025. Gold remains the primary export, accounting for approximately 61% of total value, bolstered by high international prices. Lithium has significantly altered the sector's profile, with export values rising by 185% and volumes increasing by 68% despite falling prices. Additionally, the sector saw a historic peak in Foreign Direct Investment, reaching US$24.849 billion in March 2026. Regional cooperation has intensified through the activation of Specific Additional Protocols (PAE) to reactivate a binational mining treaty between Argentina and Chile. This facilitates the development of three major copper-related projects—Vicuña, Nexo Andino, and Filo ~~Sur—located along the border of Argentina’s San Juan province and Chile’s Atacama region, representing~~ Sur—representing a portfolio exceeding US$20.7 billion. In September 2026, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru signed a joint declaration in Santiago to coordinate policies on strategic minerals. During the 10th Italy–Latin America SME Forum in Buenos Aires in September 2026, Argentine provincial governors promoted the sector. San Juan, Jujuy, and Catamarca emphasized the strategic importance of copper and lithium for the global energy transition and the need for legal security to attract investment. Additionally, Río Negro’s Governor Alberto Weretilneck advocated for integrating local SMEs into large-scale export projects.

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