San Juan hosts companies registered under Argentina’s National Knowledge Economy Law within the category linked to technological services for mineral prospecting and exploration, according to Germán Von Euw, the province’s Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation.
By Panorama Minero
According to information released by the provincial Secretariat, the firms Dams and Knight Piésold are registered under the national regime in this category, which requires compliance with regulatory criteria for activities considered intensive in knowledge and technology.
Argentina’s Knowledge Economy Law provides fiscal incentives for companies that develop exportable technological services, including software, engineering, biotechnology and professional services applied to different industries, including mining.
The companies: Dams and Knight Piésold
Among the companies mentioned is Dams, a San Juan-based firm specializing in geophysics and airborne magnetometry services used in mineral prospecting campaigns.
These technologies are used in the early stages of exploration, where geophysical tools help identify subsurface anomalies that may indicate the presence of mineralization.
The second firm is Knight Piésold, an international engineering company that provides technical services to mining projects in multiple jurisdictions.
According to Von Euw, inclusion in the national regime requires companies to meet revenue thresholds linked to knowledge-intensive activities, one of the criteria established by the law to access the program.
Technological services for mining
Technological services linked to mining form part of the international segment known as METS (Mining Equipment, Technology and Services), which includes companies specializing in engineering, software, geophysics, automation and technological solutions applied to the mining industry.
These companies participate in different stages of the mining cycle, from exploration to project development and operations.
Within this framework, Von Euw noted that some of these firms provide services from San Juan to mining projects in other countries.
Institutional tools
The official indicated that the province operates a Knowledge Economy Directorate within the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Among the initiatives mentioned are financing programs aimed at research and development (R&D) in small and medium-sized technology companies.
Von Euw noted that the development of digital tools, data processing and exploration technologies forms part of the broader technological evolution of the mining sector.
A growing export sector
The secretary also stated that the knowledge economy ranks among Argentina’s leading export sectors, generating more than US$8 billion in revenue during the past year.
Within this broader segment, technological services linked to mining represent a specialized activity that operates alongside the development of extractive projects.
