Argentina’s mining exports totaled US$ 650 million in October 2025, bringing the cumulative figure for the first ten months of the year to US$ 4.87 billion, exceeding total exports recorded throughout all of 2024 by 4%.
By Panorama Minero
Interannual Growth and Sector Consolidation
Between January and October 2025, Argentina’s mining exports grew 34.5% year-on-year, standing 57% above the historical average for the 2010–2024 period. This performance confirms the sector’s sustained expansion, driven primarily by metal mining projects and the continued rise of lithium.
During October, metallic minerals generated US$ 525 million, accounting for 80.8% of total mining exports, with a 42.9% year-on-year increase. Lithium, meanwhile, confirmed its upward trend, posting exports of US$ 105 million, marking a record 71.8% increase compared to October 2024.
Gold and Silver Drive the Export Record
Gold once again emerged as the main contributor to Argentina’s mining exports. In October 2025, gold exports rose 40.2% year-on-year, reaching US$ 424 million, equivalent to 65% of total mining exports. This performance was supported by higher international prices and increased export volumes.
Silver showed a similar trend, with exports up 60.8% year-on-year, representing US$ 36 million more than in October 2024.
For the January–October 2025 period, precious metals accounted for 82.5% of total mining exports, generating US$ 4.02 billion, a 34.3% year-on-year increase. Gold represented the bulk of this figure, with US$ 3.34 billion (68% of the total), expanding 37.3% compared to 2024, while silver contributed US$ 609 million (13% of the total), up 21.2%. Other metallic minerals completed the picture with US$ 72 million, around 1% of total exports.
Lithium Expansion Continues
Lithium remains one of the most dynamic segments of Argentina’s mining industry. In October 2025, lithium exports reached US$ 105 million, posting a 71.8% year-on-year increase and setting a new historical record for the mineral. This performance consolidated lithium as the second most exported mining product, accounting for 16.2% of total exports, alongside a 74% increase in shipped volumes.
Over the January–October 2025 period, lithium exports totaled US$ 700 million, representing a 42.8% increase compared to 2024 and accounting for 14.4% of total mining exports. Exported volumes rose 68.2%, reinforcing Argentina’s position as a key player in the Lithium Triangle, alongside Chile and Bolivia.
Key Destinations and Export Concentration
In October 2025, the United States, India, China and Switzerland accounted for 77% of Argentina’s mining export destinations, equivalent to US$ 499 million. On a year-to-date basis, these markets represented 80% of total mining exports, amounting to US$ 3.91 billion.
Collectively, these destinations absorbed 82% of metallic mineral exports during the January–October 2025 period, while the remaining 18% was mainly directed to Canada, South Korea, Germany, Belgium and Finland.
Lithium exports, similar to metallic minerals, remain highly concentrated. China, Germany and the United States accounted for 88% of lithium exports in October 2025, a proportion that remained unchanged at 88% for the January–October 2025 period.
One notable development, however, is that the United States and South Korea reduced their share of lithium exports by 18% and 48%, respectively, during the first ten months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
