# Chile-Argentina bilateral cooperation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chile-argentina-bilateral-cooperation
> Updated: 2026-08-27T20:34:07.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

Chile and Argentina have expanded bilateral cooperation through environmental and industrial initiatives. In August 2026, the two nations strengthened the Iniciativa Turberas Patagónicas (ITP), a binational alliance involving NGOs, universities, and public agencies. This partnership focuses on the conservation and sustainable management of Patagonian peatlands to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity.

Simultaneously, the nations reactivated the 1997 Mining Integration and Complementation Treaty to support large-scale cross-border mining. New protocols were approved for the Vicuña, NexoAndino, and Filo Sur projects in the Andes, targeting copper and lithium deposits. These agreements aim to streamline infrastructure and logistics for projects estimated to unlock over USD 20.7 billion in investment. This cooperation aligns with a broader regional effort involving Bolivia and Peru to secure the supply of strategic minerals essential for the global energy transition.

## Claims

- Argentina and Chile approved operating protocols for the Vicuña, NexoAndino, and Filo Sur mining projects. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru signed a joint declaration to cooperate on strategic minerals like copper and lithium. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The mining agreements could unlock more than USD 20.7 billion in investment. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Vicuña project integrates the Josemaría, Tamberías, and Filo del Sol deposits. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The NexoAndino project includes the Los Helados (Chile) and Lunahuasi (Argentina) deposits. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The new protocols allow workers to cross the border without full migratory procedures for specific projects. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Global demand for critical minerals could increase by 400% to 600% over the next decade. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The 1997 Mining Integration and Complementation Treaty has been reactivated. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: Argentina and Chile approve protocols for major cross-border mining projects

Argentina and Chile have approved new protocols for major cross-border mining projects, potentially unlocking USD 20.7 billion in investment. Separately, four Andean nations signed a pact to boost strategic's

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-and-argentina-approve-cross-border-mining-protocols

### 2026-08-06: Chile-Argentina partnership protects Patagonia peatlands

Chile and Argentina have deepened a binational alliance, the Iniciativa Turberas Patagónicas, to protect and restore Patagonia peatlands that store billions of tonnes of carbon, amid threats from mining and uns

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-argentina-partnership-protects-patagonia-peatlands

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Cite as: Chile-Argentina bilateral cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chile-argentina-bilateral-cooperation