With BHP, Mendoza Consolidates as a Copper Hub in Argentina
Mendoza is experiencing the most dynamic mining period in its recent history. This was stated by JerĂłnimo Shantal, director of Mining at the Ministry of Energy and Environment, during his presentation at Argentina Mining 2026, one of the country's main industry gatherings, which runs through Friday at the Salta Convention Center.
The standout announcement was the recent strategic alliance between BHP —the world's largest mining company— and Canadian Kobrea Exploration to advance copper exploration in the province, with a focus on Malargüe. "It fills us with pride that number one comes to Mendoza, that they trust us," said the official, contrasting the current scenario with just three years ago, when exploratory activity was virtually nonexistent in the provincial territory.
Mendoza unveiled its strategy to become a new copper hub.
Three pillars of Mendoza's strategy
Under the title "Mendoza: Prepared to Consolidate Its Mining Development," Shantal outlined to business leaders, investors and industry institutions the path the province has taken in three stages.
The first was to establish the rules of the game: conduct mining activity within the framework of Law 7722 —the regulation governing metallic mining in the province— with environmental requirements even higher than those minimally required.
The second was the implementation of the mining districts model, which allows for joint evaluation of exploration projects with common geological characteristics within the same administrative file, expediting timelines without compromising environmental and legislative oversight. Shantal emphasized that Mendoza is the only province where mining Environmental Impact Declarations require legislative ratification, a mechanism that —he stated— is being approved "nearly unanimously" across political blocs.
PSJ Cobre Mendocino is one of the most advanced projects in Mendoza.
The third strategy aimed to demonstrate capacity to move from exploration to actual extraction, with the PSJ Cobre Mendocino project (formerly San Jorge) as a test case: under review for over 30 years, it completed in 2026 a ten-month process that included more than 15,000 pages of proceedings, prior consultation with communities, a public hearing with over 3,500 registered attendees and 850 speakers, and subsequent legislative ratification confirmed by the courts after being challenged.
Numbers from an expanding sector
According to official figures, Mendoza currently has 69 projects with approved environmental impact declarations and 71 under evaluation, plus the recently announced Northern Mendoza Mining District and approximately 300 mining properties in the area of influence of PSJ Cobre Mendocino. To this map is added Cobre San Romeleo, in MalargĂĽe, a smaller-scale project also nearing environmental approval and which, according to Shantal's estimate, could begin copper production this very year.
The official placed Mendoza's process within a broader upturn in Argentine copper mining, citing the reactivation of Bajo de la Alumbrera and progress of projects in Catamarca and San Juan.
Human capital and regional integration
Shantal also focused on the challenges posed by sector growth in supplier and professional training. The province is working with the Argentine Mining Business Chamber (CAMEM), the Plan Pilares Foundation and professional associations to strengthen competencies that will allow Mendoza and other provincial companies to also operate in the Chilean market, in line with discussions held last week at SONAMI's 2026 Mining Summit in Chile, where ministers from Peru, Bolivia and Chile participated along with Argentina's secretary of Mining.
In this regard, the official highlighted the framework agreement between Argentina and Chile as a key tool to facilitate the import and export of supplies and advance on binational projects.