Catamarca and IDB advance on mining infrastructure and environmental management

Catamarca Governor Raúl Jalil led a meeting with technical representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to review infrastructure projects considered a priority for the province. The meeting took place at the Center for Art and Applied Technology (CATA) and also included discussions with officials from the Ministry of Mining.

Among the initiatives discussed was the road that will connect Fiambalá (Chuquisaca) with El Peñón, whose route has already begun to be cleared. The meeting also addressed the Western interconnection, which includes a 220 kV high-voltage line between Alumbrera, El Eje and Belén, along with the second phase of works on the El Bolsón dam.

The IDB delegation was led by Tomás Serebrisky, Infrastructure Manager, and included specialists in water and sanitation, mining, energy, road transport and infrastructure. The agenda focused on projects for the provincial interior and on alternatives for cooperation on their development.

In parallel, the Ministry of Mining held a meeting with Martín Walter, IDB Natural Resources Development specialist, and officials from the Provincial Directorate of Environmental Management. During the session, participants reviewed the technical procedures used to evaluate mining projects and identified capabilities and areas for improvement in environmental management.

As a result, the agency and the provincial ministry agreed to move forward with a work agenda aimed at defining technical needs and possible lines of assistance. The cooperation seeks to strengthen institutional capabilities related to the assessment, monitoring and oversight of mining activity.

Mining Minister Teresita Regalado also held meetings with World Bank representatives as part of the “Mining and Suppliers: Boosting Regional Economies” event. Additionally, together with Walter, she outlined next steps to complete and implement the Transparent, Sustainable and Participatory Mining Catamarca platform, which includes an Environmental Control Dashboard funded by the IDB.

With information from Panorama Minero.