Efforts between Argentina and Chile to reactivate the Binational Paso Las Leñas Entity (EBILEÑAS) represent a new institutional step towards reviving the international tunnel project between San Rafael, Mendoza, and Chile’s O’Higgins Region. The initiative envisages an alternative connection to Pacific ports, with potential significance for mining development in southern Mendoza.
By Panorama Minero
The reactivation of the organisation was discussed during a meeting in Santiago between Mendoza’s Undersecretary for Institutional Relations, José María Videla Sáenz, and Chile’s Undersecretary of Public Works, Nicolás Balmaceda Jimeno. Senator Javier Macaya Danús and Sergio Salazar Vargas, Head of the Border Crossings Unit at the National Directorate of State Borders and Boundaries (DIFROL), also participated.
During the meeting, Chile committed to appointing its four representatives to EBILEÑAS: two from the Ministry of Public Works, one from the O’Higgins Region and one from DIFROL.
The formalisation of these appointments is a necessary step towards resuming the organisation’s activities, which will need to address technical, budgetary and financial aspects related to the potential construction of the tunnel.
An Integration Project with Mining Potential
The Las Leñas Border Crossing represents a long-term alternative for international connectivity in southern Mendoza. Its design envisages a low-altitude tunnel through the Andes, intended to allow year-round traffic and complement existing international border crossings.
The initiative is included in the report Infrastructure Requirements for the Development of the Mining Sector, prepared by Argentina’s Undersecretariat for Mining Development in February 2025.
The document identifies three priorities for Mendoza: strengthening strategic provincial roads, improving the Cristo Redentor Integrated Border Crossing System and advancing Las Leñas as a structural alternative.
The studies are at different stages of progress. Chile has completed its feasibility assessments, while Argentina has yet to conclude this process.
Reactivating EBILEÑAS would make it possible to restore technical coordination and advance the outstanding stages.
Mining Development in Southern Mendoza
The potential completion of the Las Leñas Border Crossing is becoming increasingly relevant in light of the development of the Malargüe Western Mining District (MDMO), which encompasses three environmental assessment stages involving 34, 27 and 71 metallic mineral exploration projects, respectively.
These initiatives are complemented by Huemul, where Jaguar Uranium plans to begin drilling in 2027 and reach the prefeasibility stage by 2030.
Progress on these projects creates future requirements for road infrastructure, the transport of equipment and supplies, and alternative connections to international markets.
Currently, the Pehuenche Border Crossing provides the direct connection between southern Mendoza and Chile.
During the 2026 Pehuenche Integration Meeting, led by Governor Alfredo Cornejo, Mendoza identified mining as one of the activities with the potential to generate sustained freight volumes and advanced efforts to authorise general cargo transport.
However, the corridor faces limitations in capacity, operating hours and winter closures.
The national mining infrastructure report identifies the need to increase the maximum permitted freight load and extend operating hours.
Operational Continuity as a Logistics Factor
The availability of Andean border crossings is an important consideration in mining logistics planning.
During the winter of 2026, the Cristo Redentor Border Crossing recorded a closure lasting 34 consecutive days, while in 2023 it had accumulated more than 60 days without operations.
In October, PSJ Cobre Mendocino, a project located in Uspallata, estimated between 30 and 40 days of annual closures when assessing export alternatives through Argentine and Chilean ports.
The project envisages production of approximately 300,000 tonnes of copper concentrate annually, making transport continuity an important factor in its assessment.
Although PSJ is located along the Cristo Redentor corridor, its evaluation illustrates the importance of international connectivity for mining.
In southern Mendoza, where numerous projects remain at the exploration stage, infrastructure planning could be aligned with the development schedules of future operations.
Next Steps for Binational Integration
Efforts to reactivate EBILEÑAS form part of a broader mining infrastructure agenda.
Other initiatives include the Agua Negra Border Crossing in San Juan and the Capricorn Bioceanic Corridor, aimed at strengthening the integration of northern Argentina with Pacific ports.
In the case of Las Leñas, resuming the organisation’s activities would allow the establishment of a joint agenda to complete studies, assess financing alternatives and define the conditions for potential implementation.
The formal appointment of representatives from both countries constitutes a preliminary institutional step.
The project remains subject to technical, economic and administrative decisions, while its potential development could expand logistics alternatives for mining activities in southern Mendoza.
