The province of Jujuy has assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Lithium Mining Region Roundtable, the interprovincial coordination platform formed by Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy to align policies for the development of the sector. The body will now be chaired by Governor Carlos Sadir, while Fernanda Ávila, national deputy for Catamarca and former Secretary of Mining of Argentina, will serve as Executive Secretary.
By Panorama Minero
The leadership transition takes place amid a recovery in international lithium prices. During January and particularly in the final week of February, the market showed a positive trend, with year-on-year growth close to 85% and prices reaching US$21,750 per tonne for battery-grade lithium carbonate.
In this context, Jujuy assumed the presidency of the Roundtable, previously held by Catamarca, with the aim of coordinating joint policies among the three provinces that host the majority of Argentina’s lithium projects.
With the new institutional phase, the Roundtable also incorporates two experienced figures in sector governance. Fernanda Ávila, former Secretary of Mining of Argentina and former Minister of Mining of Catamarca, will act as Executive Secretary, while José Gómez, Minister of Mining of Jujuy, will serve as Deputy Secretary.
Authorities in Catamarca highlighted that Ávila’s appointment will contribute to strengthening regulatory coordination between provinces, reinforcing environmental and social standards and advancing mechanisms that provide greater predictability for lithium-related investments.
For his part, Governor Carlos Sadir stated that the new institutional phase represents “a step that strengthens the joint work carried out by the provinces and reaffirms the commitment to a sustainable mining model, with clear rules, strong environmental oversight and job creation.”
Jujuy authorities also indicated that the Roundtable’s agenda will focus on institutional strengthening, transparency in governance and the balanced development of the lithium mining region.
The Lithium Roundtable
The Lithium Mining Region Roundtable was established in 2021 by the governments of Jujuy, Salta and Catamarca as a policy coordination platform for the development of the lithium sector. National authorities and representatives of YPF Litio also participate in its working structure.
The body aims to promote research and policy development related to lithium industrialization, strengthen legal certainty for the sector and advance regulatory frameworks that integrate productive, environmental and federal criteria.
The Roundtable currently operates through nine thematic commissions, covering strategic areas such as research and technological development, local suppliers, shared infrastructure, geological information exchange and fiscal guidelines.
The platform also plans to continue cooperation with multilateral organizations to facilitate financing and promote strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening regional competitiveness.
Among the new developments is the launch of a Royalties Commission, tasked with reviewing the current regime and exploring mechanisms for regulatory harmonization between the three provinces. Provincial revenue authorities are expected to work jointly in this process.
Market outlook
During the last week of February, the spot price of battery-grade lithium carbonate closed at US$21,750 per tonne, representing a 20.83% weekly increase. Lithium hydroxide ended the week at US$20,150 per tonne, up 18.53% compared to the previous week.
According to Argentina’s Secretariat of Mining, the price movement was mainly linked to the suspension of lithium mineral and concentrate exports from Zimbabwe, Africa’s largest lithium producer and an important supplier to China.
On a yearly basis, the CIF Asia lithium carbonate price (China, Japan and South Korea) averaged US$18,755 per tonne LCE in January, marking an increase of 58.7% compared to December 2025 and 84.6% compared to January 2025.
Government estimates indicate that demand remains solid due to growth in the electric vehicle battery sector and energy storage systems, which has reduced global inventories and supports expectations of strong lithium demand through 2026.
In this scenario, market projections place lithium prices in a range close to US$20,000 per tonne in the near term.
