Panorama Minero: Latest News

In recent days, Dr. Hernán Celorrio — simply Hernán to those of us who knew him — passed away. With his passing, Argentine mining loses a professional closely associated with the development of the sector.

The lithium industry approaches October in a very different position than just a few years ago. The country closed 2025 with mineral exports of US$905 million, its highest figure on record, and raised the number of producing operations to seven. At the same time, new expansions and projects are moving forward in an industry that no longer discusses only resources and potential: it is beginning to measure performance, competitiveness, execution capacity and the conditions needed to sustain a new scale of growth.

Businessman Raúl Cabanay detailed the scope of the agreement signed in Buenos Aires, conveyed a message of reassurance regarding job stability for workers and the community, and highlighted the alignment of safety and environmental values between the outgoing shareholder and the new majority partners.

The company added 24 new workers as part of the early works. Of the total workforce, 47% come from communities near the project.

The course began at Higher Technological Institute No. 9-019 after receiving more than 1,000 applications. The program combines technical content and practical training at drill sites to address one of the main demands of the mining industry.

Minister Jimena Latorre linked the growth of mining projects to the need for continuous and secure electricity generation and transmission. PSJ emerges as the first concrete case.

Three years after the change of control, the operation is advancing with a US$665 million project approved under the RIGI and a plan to expand exploration across the district.

China Day 2026 brought investment, trade and logistics onto the agenda. The Asian country is already a significant market for Salta’s exports.

Around 120 people will participate in courses in welding, construction, heavy equipment operation and electricity in Andalgalá, Belén and Santa María.

The agreement covers contractors and subcontractors and includes additional compensation for work at high altitude.

Manuel Benítez, president of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Suppliers (CAPMIN), discusses the opportunities that mining growth is creating for the country’s industrial base. The ability to serve larger projects, access to financing, costs and greater coordination among companies from different provinces are emerging as key challenges.

Litio Minera Argentina has opened a customs facility at its Güemes plant. It is the first operation of its kind for a lithium company in Salta.

Initial tests on the Yaxtché deposit in Salta produced high-grade concentrates and showed a rapid response to flotation. The company expects to complete the optimization stage within the next 45 to 60 days.

The geologist and former Secretary of Mining of Jujuy discusses the current state of Argentina’s mining sector and the need for a more realistic assessment of its potential impact. Communities, employment, suppliers, workforce development and investment are among the main challenges in turning project development into long-term economic growth.

The province currently has 60 metals and energy-mineral projects at different stages of development. Joaquín Aberastain Oro, Río Negro’s Secretary of Mining, discusses the transformation of the province’s mining sector, the progress at Calcatreu, the potential of the Línea Sur region and the development of iron, uranium and vanadium projects.

The agreement signed by Javier Milei, Diego Santilli and Raúl Jalil enables the creation of a mixed industrial and commercial Free Trade Zone along the Bi-Oceanic Corridor, connected with Chile through the San Francisco Pass. The initiative seeks to attract investment, reduce costs and strengthen value chains linked, among other activities, to mining.

An INDEC report recorded accumulated exports of US$392 million, representing year-on-year growth of 119.6% for the province. Chemicals and precious metals lead the export basket. Catamarca outpaces the NOA regional average of 68.2% and emerges as the third-largest exporting province in the region.

Diablillos is advancing through its feasibility stage and plans to begin construction in May 2027, with production scheduled for late 2029. The project is expected to generate 1,400 construction jobs and 600 permanent positions.

The commission, launched on September 2, met again on September 14 and established its work agenda for the coming months.

During 2025, it worked with 580 suppliers in Argentina, 60% of them from San Juan, and allocated US$1.94 million to social investment.

The camyeninvestments.com.ar portal was launched. Through this software, the company said it seeks to provide public access to geological information, infrastructure data and ESG standards.

Following the intense snowstorm that left the access road to the Los Azules project out of service, reconstruction and the full reopening of the route were launched, with work being carried out by contractors from San Juan and Calingasta together with avalanche specialists.

The province is developing silica sand areas for hydraulic fracturing, although it acknowledges that it will not be able to meet projected demand on its own. Cormine is also promoting the reactivation of Andacollo, potash and other mineral resources.

Petra Gold and its partners agreed with Australian company 62 Capital to continue the work previously carried out by Aurora Mining. The area covers approximately 3,600 hectares.