The Chamber of Mining of Catamarca and the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies have issued a statement in response to the ruling issued by the Provincial Court of Catamarca, regarding lithium projects in the area of Río los Patos, located in the Salar del Hombre Muerto, in Antofagasta de la Sierra.
By Panorama Minero
In the statement, the local Chamber reported that the Provincial Court, within the framework of a collective procedure, deemed an environmental protection action admissible and, through a precautionary measure, ordered the Ministry of Mining to conduct a "cumulative and integral" environmental impact study on lithium mining activity in the area. Additionally, the Ministry was instructed to refrain from granting new permits, authorizations, or environmental impact statements for new projects in the same area.
Following this ruling, the Chamber expressed that the exploration and exploitation projects of lithium "have obtained all the permits and authorizations required by the applicable regulations, as well as the approval of their respective environmental impact statements, presenting the corresponding reports in strict compliance with the technical administrative procedures and the technical and environmental conditions established, including citizen participation."
The statement, signed by Ignacio Costa, president of the institution, emphasized the commitment of the entity to work with all involved entities "to ensure the productive mining development of the province within the current regulatory framework, ensuring both the interests of the associated companies and the well-being of Catamarca's society as a whole."
The word of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies
In response to recent information about the ruling issued by the Court of Justice of Catamarca, the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAEM) also issued a statement clarifying its position and emphasized that "it is important to note that this measure does not affect ongoing productive activities."
CAEM supported the statement of the Mining Chamber of Catamarca and the companies operating in the region and specified that the lithium projects under development, both those already in production and those in previous stages, have complied with all "legal requirements regarding the environment and their corresponding approvals."
Furthermore, from the entity that brings together the main mining companies in the country, they emphasized that "lithium represents an opportunity to boost regional economies, especially those in northwestern Argentina (NOA), through responsible production from both an environmental and social perspective."
Join our mining community!
Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive news, insights, and updates on the mining industry and Panorama Minero's latest initiatives.
Arcadium Lithium Confirms Contact with Rio Tinto for Possible Acquisition
Lithium chemical producer Arcadium Lithium plc (NYSE: ALTM, ASX: LTM) has announced that it has been approached by Rio Tinto regarding a potential acquisition. The approach is considered non-binding, meaning there is no certainty that an agreement will be reached.
The Event of the Year in Lithium: A Meeting of Industry Leaders on October 9 and 10
Jujuy will take center stage at the 13th edition of the International Seminar: Lithium in South America, the pioneering event in the lithium sector, organized by the specialized media Panorama Minero since 2011. As in previous years, it is expected to gather thousands of representatives linked to one of the most attractive segments of both Argentine and global mining.
Mining Exports Represented 9.1% of Total Argentine Exports
Mineral exports during August 2024 reached US$550 million, accumulating a total of US$2.736 billion in the first eight months of the year. This information comes from a recent report by the National Mining Secretariat, presented at the end of September.
San Juan: Challenger Gold Targets Gold Production at Hualilán in Q2 2025
The company aims to accelerate the development of the deposit located in San Juan to take advantage of the rising gold price environment.
Conclusions from LME Week: Lithium and Copper, Key to Promoting Argentina’s Mining Sector Abroad
An important delegation of national and provincial officials, along with private sector representatives from Argentina, participated in the London Metal Exchange Week.
GEMERA Announces New Board of Directors
The Group of Mining Exploration Companies of the Argentine Republic (GEMERA) has announced the new formation of its Board of Directors, which will lead the organization in its mission to promote the sustainable development of the mining industry in the country.
Salta to Review Taca Taca's Environmental Impact Assessment Ahead of Construction
The province of Salta will host a technical and scientific meeting and joint inspection regarding the Taca Taca Project, one of Argentina's five major copper initiatives. Various departments within the Ministry of Production and Sustainable Development, together with the Argentine Geological and Mining Service (SEGEMAR), will assess the project's Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), while also conducting on-site oversight and monitoring activities.
NGEx Announces Exploration Plan for Lunahuasi
NGEx Minerals Ltd. announced its exploration plan and strategy for the largest drill program to date at the Lunahuasi high-grade copper-gold-silver project in San Juan province. The field team is on site preparing for mobilization of drill rigs with drilling expected to start in early October.
Salta: Hanaq to Launch a Pilot Plant of 3,000 Tons of Lithium
Hanaq Group has achieved a significant milestone in its Doncella lithium project, located in the Arizaro Salt Flat, in Salta province, by obtaining the Environmental Impact Statement (EIA) which will allow the construction of a 3,000-ton-per-year pilot plant for lithium carbonate. This progress came after successfully completing the Free and Informed Public Consultation (CPLI) and the Public Hearing in the local community of Tolar Grande.
Gold Price Hits a New All-Time High
The gold market continues to show strong momentum, reaching a new all-time high this week. The spot price of the yellow metal surpassed US$2,660 per ounce for the first time during the September 24th session, driven by a combination of economic and geopolitical factors that continue to boost its demand as a safe-haven asset.
Lithium: Arcadium Lithium Announces Ambitious Expansion Plan in Argentina
Arcadium Lithium, one of the world's leading lithium producers, has unveiled a strategic plan that promises significant growth in the coming years, with Argentina positioned as a key pillar. The company expects to double its sales volumes by 2028 and achieve an adjusted EBITDA of US$1.3 billion, driven by strong global demand for lithium. Paul Graves, the company’s President and CEO, highlighted that the combination of a vertically integrated operational network and a disciplined commercial strategy will maximize the value of each unit of lithium delivered to its customers.
Argentina: For Every 100 Dollars Exported in the Year, the Mining Industry Imported 32 Dollars
In July, as detailed in a recent report released by the Secretariat of Mining, companies within Argentina's mining project portfolio achieved a trade surplus of US$134 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 43.3%. This result reflects mining exports totaling US$226 million against imports of US$91 million. As such, the exports of these companies were more than double their imports. In the first seven months of 2024, the cumulative trade balance of these companies showed a surplus of US$1.434 billion, although this represents a 14.9% decrease compared to the same period of the previous year.