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Labor dispute at Calcatreu mining project

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-26 23:02 UTC → 2026-08-27 00:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Labor disputes have emerged at the Calcatreu mining project in Río Negro, Argentina, regarding local hiring practices. Labor representatives, including delegates from UOCRA, have criticized the operator for allegedly ignoring requests to prioritize workers from Ingeniero Jacobacci and neighboring Mapuche communities. In response to these concerns and alleged non-compliance with Provincial Law 5.804—which requires 80% of the workforce to be local residents—the Río Negro government maintained a partial suspension of activities at the site. While Patagonia Gold claimed 75% of its 233 direct employees were provincial residents, the Secretary of Labor, María Martha Avilez, stated compliance was only at 71%. The company attributed the shortfall to a lack of specific mining experience among local residents. The impasse has since been resolved through a new agreement between the Río Negro government and Patagonia Gold to reactivate the mine. Under the terms of the settlement, the company has committed to incorporating approximately 30 local workers and providing training for an additional 30 individuals. To support this, Patagonia Gold will fund training programs costing up to 2 million pesos per participant. The agreement ~~is intended~~ also includes regularizing safety and hygiene standards and reactivating a local working group that includes the Peñi Mapu community to ensure compliance with labor ~~regulations, safety standards,~~ regulations and ~~local employment quotas while supporting~~ support regional economic development.

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