Argentine mining exports totaled US$594 million in December 2025, bringing the cumulative figure for January–December to US$6.037 billion, according to the latest official report from the Secretariat of Mining. Metallic minerals led monthly shipments, while lithium recorded its strongest December performance on record.
By Panorama Minero
In the month analyzed, the sector accounted for 9.0% of Argentina’s total exports, while its share reached 7.0% on a cumulative annual basis. Year over year, mining exports increased 10.6% in December and 29.2% for full-year 2025.
Annual performance surpassed the previous record set in 2012, when mining exports totaled US$4.982 billion, and stood 57.3% above the 2010–2024 average for the same period.
Gold and Silver Sustain Metallic Leadership
In December, metallic minerals reached US$475 million, representing 80% of total mining exports for the month.
Gold led shipments with US$378 million, although it recorded a slight year-over-year decline of 2.4%, mainly due to lower export volumes.
Silver posted a 53.3% year-over-year increase, totaling US$88 million, driven primarily by higher international prices.
For the January–December 2025 period, metallic minerals totaled US$4.948 billion, reflecting a 28.0% year-over-year increase. Gold contributed US$4.078 billion, equivalent to 68% of total mining exports, silver accounted for US$777 million, or 13%, and other metallic minerals totaled US$93 million.
Lithium Posts Record December Performance
Lithium exports reached US$104 million in December, marking a 39.8% year-over-year increase and the highest December result on record.
The increase was driven by both a 38% rise in export volumes and improved international prices.
On a cumulative basis, lithium exports reached US$905 million in 2025, up 40.3% year over year and representing 15% of total mining exports. In volume terms, lithium shipments increased 59.3% throughout the year.
Exports Concentrated in Four Key Markets
In December, Switzerland, the United States, China, and India accounted for 72% of Argentine mining exports, totaling US$429 million.
For the full year, these four markets represented 79% of total shipments, equivalent to US$4.774 billion, confirming the high geographic concentration of Argentina’s mining trade.
Exports to these destinations were dominated by metallic minerals, which accounted for 79% of December sales and 84% of shipments over the last twelve months. The remaining 19% of metallic exports were mainly directed to Canada, Germany, South Korea, Belgium, and Brazil.
