Catamarca and Utah will promote cooperation and knowledge exchange in lithium, copper and geothermal energy, as well as create opportunities to strengthen ties between small and medium-sized enterprises. “It will allow us to attract investment,” said Catamarca Governor Raúl Jalil. The Province is also targeting the development of small-scale mining.
By Panorama Minero
The Government of Catamarca and the State of Utah, United States, signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening economic and cultural cooperation, promoting investment and creating new opportunities for exchange in strategic sectors. The focus is on mining and Catamarca’s geothermal potential, which could be developed using knowledge and tools already applied in the U.S. state. Last May, a delegation from Catamarca presented the province’s experience during mining-related meetings in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“This partnership will allow us to exchange knowledge on lithium, copper and geothermal energy, open new opportunities for education and research, connect local SMEs with international markets, and attract investments that generate more local employment,” Governor Raúl Jalil emphasized.
The agreement was signed by Catamarca’s Minister of Productive Development, Luis Castro, and representatives of Utah’s Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Department of Natural Resources, Jefferson Moss (Commissioner, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity) and Joel Ferry (Commissioner, Utah Department of Natural Resources), with the shared objective of advancing economic development and strengthening ties between the two jurisdictions. Governor Raúl Jalil and Lieutenant Governor Rubén Dusso, among other officials, also participated in the signing.
One of the Memorandum’s main areas of focus is cooperation in mining and critical minerals. Catamarca and Utah have significant mineral resources and share a particular interest in the development of lithium, copper, gold and other critical minerals, as well as in strengthening supply chains. Within this framework, the two jurisdictions plan to advance the exchange of knowledge, best practices, technologies and experience related to mineral extraction and processing.
The agreement also provides for the promotion of investment and trade through trade missions, business delegations and industry events, while facilitating connections between companies in Catamarca and Utah. Another key area will be cooperation in education, research, technology and energy, promoting joint projects, technology transfer, and exchanges between companies, professional training and workforce capacity building.
In the energy sector, both jurisdictions expressed their interest in promoting the development of different energy sources, including solar, nuclear and geothermal power. In particular, the Memorandum highlights the potential of geothermal energy: Catamarca is home to 13 of Argentina’s 39 active volcanoes, while Utah currently has three geothermal power plants and is developing new research and generation initiatives.
The agreement also provides for periodic meetings, at least once a year, to exchange information and experiences, assess progress and establish priorities. Joint working groups may also be created to develop specific projects with measurable objectives and timelines.
Last May, a delegation from Catamarca’s Ministry of Mining participated in the “Workshop on Developing Regulatory Oversight Guidelines for Lithium Mining and Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Operations, Using Data from Environmental Impact Reports and Technical Exchange,” held in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.
During the event, the delegation presented Catamarca’s experience in environmental assessment, mining regulation and responsible natural resource management. The workshop also provided opportunities for technical and environmental exchange with specialists, international organizations and representatives from other provinces and countries involved in mining.
The workshop brought together technical and legal experts with the objective of strengthening regional capabilities to evaluate critical mineral development strategies, with particular emphasis on improving decision-making related to foreign investment, regulatory oversight and sustainable resource management.
The training was part of a broader interagency initiative led by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (State/EEB) through its Energy and Mineral Governance Program (EMGP).
