Argentina’s mining exports totaled US$812 million in January, setting a new historical record for the month and accounting for 12.1% of the country’s total exports. Metallic minerals remained the sector’s main driver with US$707 million, while lithium exports reached US$96 million, posting a 74.5% year-on-year increase. Despite this growth, lithium moved from second to third place in the ranking of Argentina’s most exported minerals.
By Panorama Minero
Expansion and sustained growth
Mining exports reached US$812 million in January, more than doubling the US$446 million recorded in the same month a year earlier.
This represents year-on-year growth of 82.1% and stands 168.4% above the historical average for January during the 2010-2025 period.
Mining shipments also accounted for 12.1% of Argentina’s total exports during the month, highlighting the sector’s role in the country’s foreign trade.
Gold and silver drive metallic mineral exports
Despite a slight decline in the final month of the previous year, gold remained the leading export. In January, shipments of the metal rose 70.6% year-on-year, equivalent to US$240 million more than in the same month a year earlier. According to official data, the increase was largely associated with higher international prices.
Silver exports increased 227% year-on-year, representing US$80 million more than in January of the previous year. The growth was linked to both higher prices and an 85% increase in exported volumes.
During the first month of the year, metallic minerals generated US$707 million in exports, a year-on-year increase of 86.8%. Gold accounted for US$581 million (71% of total mining exports), while silver contributed US$116 million (14%).
The remaining US$10 million (1.3%) corresponded to other metallic minerals, with lead among the main contributors.
Lithium: record January exports
Lithium exports totaled US$96 million in January, the highest value recorded for that month.
The 74.5% year-on-year increase was associated with two factors occurring simultaneously: a 42% rise in exported volumes and higher international prices.
However, lithium slipped from second to third place in the ranking of Argentina’s mining exports compared with the previous month. Its share of total mining exports reached 11.9% in January, below the 15% average recorded during the previous year.
January’s figures indicate that lithium exports continue to expand, although changes in the export ranking highlight the evolving composition of Argentina’s mining trade.
Main export destinations
In January, the United States, Switzerland, India and China accounted for 76% of Argentina’s mining exports, totaling US$621 million.
Shipments to these markets were dominated by metallic minerals, which represented 85% of exports.
Together, these four destinations explained 74% of total metallic mineral exports during the month analyzed.
The remaining 26% of metallic exports were mainly directed to Canada, South Korea, Germany, Finland and Japan.
