The golden metal is the leading actor in Argentina's mining exports. Its future is largely tied to copper.

According to data presented by the Group of Exploration Companies of Argentina (GEMERA) at the "Argentina Gold, Silver and Copper" seminar, organized last week by Panorama Minero, foreign investment in mining exploration reached US$493.4 million in 2024, representing a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year. This progress positions Argentina as the sixth global destination for mining investments, surpassing countries such as Peru and Brazil.

McEwen Copper Inc., a subsidiary of McEwen Mining Inc., has obtained approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Los Azules copper project. The Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA), issued by the Ministry of Mining of the Province of San Juan, marks a crucial step toward the project's feasibility, construction, and future operation.

Mineral product exports from Argentina reached a total of US$442 million in October 2024, bringing the total for the first 10 months of the year to US$3.611 billion. This performance represents a 61% year-on-year increase in October and a 12.6% growth for the year-to-date, compared to the same period in 2023. Mining exports accounted for 7.0% of Argentina's total exports in October and 5.6% for the year-to-date, exceeding the average mineral exports from 2010 to 2023 by 17.8%. This was reported in the latest update from the Ministry of Mining.

Aldebaran Resources Inc. announced the results of an updated mineral resource estimate for the Altar copper-gold project in San Juan province. This updated resource estimate includes three main porphyry discoveries (Altar Central, Altar East, and Altar United) reported within a single conceptual open pit. The 2024 Altar Resource Estimate is reported using the same cut-off (US$13.99 NSR/t) as the 2021 mineral resource estimate, to allow for a direct comparison.

Filo Corp. announced assay results from six holes from the Filo del Sol Project, located in San Juan province.

Aldebaran Resources Inc. announced that field activities are underway and drilling has commenced at the Altar project in San Juan province.. The Company has secured five drill rigs for the 2024/2025 field program, with an option on a sixth, and is targeting approximately 25,000 m of drilling.

Panorama Minero will organize its double event, "Argentina Gold, Silver & Copper" and the annual sector dinner "The Mining Awards Night", on December 4-5 in Buenos Aires, with an estimated audience of over 650 people. This platform will highlight the current state of the mining industry.

The National University of Salta (UNSa) hosted the 2nd Symposium on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Mining Industry, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by this transformative technology.

With a broad majority, the Mendoza Senate has approved the environmental impact declarations for 34 copper exploration projects in the Western Mining District of Malargüe, opening the door to mining activities in the southern part of the province. This decision, already endorsed by the Chamber of Deputies, was ratified with 33 votes in favor and only 3 against, reflecting political consensus on the importance of this initiative for the regional economy.

Mining company Minas Argentinas SA, a subsidiary of AISA Group and operator of the Gualcamayo mine, has submitted a $1 billion investment plan to Argentina’s Incentive Regime for Major Investments (RIGI), making it the first company in San Juan to join this program. This marks the largest proposed investment under the RIGI in the region, with the potential to bring significant economic and employment opportunities.

Genneia, a renewable energy company, has announced the commissioning of La Elbita Wind Farm, its eighth wind project in Argentina and third in the province of Buenos Aires. Located 42 kilometers from Tandil, this project represents an investment of over $240 million and marks a significant milestone in the company’s wind power capacity in the country.

Astra Evangelista (AESA), with 75 years of experience, positions itself as a key player in the development of the mining and energy sectors in Argentina, offering comprehensive solutions to the oil, energy, and mining industries. The company, which employs nearly 9,000 people across various Argentine provinces, including Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén, La Pampa, Mendoza, and Buenos Aires, has strengthened its presence in strategic areas such as the province of Jujuy, where it has begun actively collaborating with the lithium industry, one of the country’s most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors.

The Australian mining company Galan Lithium Limited has announced significant progress at its Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Catamarca Province, as part of activities carried out during the third quarter of 2024. The company highlighted that it became the first mining company to apply for Argentina's Large-Scale Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), which offers tax benefits to large-scale projects in strategic and productive sectors like mining. "This initiative, combined with construction progress and a recent capital raise, reinforces Galan’s commitment to developing its projects in Argentina," the company stated.

MARA has launched an exploration campaign at Campo de Río Blanco, Andalgalá department, to deepen geotechnical, hydrological, environmental, and soil studies in the area surrounding the Agua Rica deposit.

Minsud Resources Corp. announced the successful completion of its Phase IV infill drilling program at the Chinchillones prospect within the Chita Valley Project, located in San Juan Province. A total of 126 drill holes have been completed at this prospect since 2020. The results from the last ten (10) drill holes have helped to confirm the boundaries of the mineralized zone, refine the geological model, and enhance our understanding of the prospect.

French company Eramet has completed the acquisition of Tsingshan Group’s 49.9% minority stake in Eramine Sudamérica, the subsidiary operating the Centenario project, a strategic resource in Argentina’s Lithium Triangle. The transaction, which impacts the Group’s net debt by US$699 million, grants Eramet full ownership of this key asset in its lithium expansion strategy.

Canadian company McEwen Copper, a subsidiary of McEwen Mining with operations in San Juan, has closed a new US$35 million investment made by Nuton LLC, a company led by Rio Tinto. "This investment is part of a previously announced financing offer, consisting of a private placement of up to 2,333,333 common shares at a subscription price of US$30 per share, for a total of up to US$70 million."