Mining Provinces Seek to Attract Investment with Stable Rules and Better Infrastructure

Governors Marcelo Orrego, Alfredo Cornejo, and Carlos Sadir agreed that the next stage of mining growth will depend on predictable regulations, adequate infrastructure, and administrative processes capable of keeping pace with investment timelines. The discussion emerged during a meeting held in Buenos Aires as part of the US-Argentina Forum on Critical Minerals.

The three provinces face different situations. Jujuy has lithium production and a significant share of that mineral in its exports; San Juan boasts an extensive mining track record and several of the country's major copper projects; while Mendoza is attempting to reposition itself following years of restrictions and debate over the activity.

Cornejo linked development prospects to stabilization of the national economy and the provinces' capacity to facilitate investment. In Mendoza's case, he highlighted approval of PSJ Cobre Mendocino's accession to RIGI, an initiative that envisions an open-pit mine and a concentrator plant with capacity to process approximately 10 million tonnes of copper and gold mineralization annually.

The governor also cited as relevant factors a competitive tax burden, availability of skilled personnel, legal certainty, and procedures aligned with project timelines. Moreover, he stressed the importance of building political consensus that allows regulatory conditions to be sustained throughout operations whose useful life may extend for several decades.

From Jujuy, Sadir offered the perspective of a province with consolidated lithium activity and two operations in production. This experience allows identification of both the opportunities associated with mining development and pending needs in infrastructure, services, and state capacity to support an expansion of activity.

Orrego, for his part, presented San Juan's position, where copper concentrates much of the growth expectations. The shared agenda among the three governors places permitting, continuity of public policies, and the infrastructure necessary to connect projects with markets among the central conditions for transforming mineral resources into new investments.

Information sourced from Panorama Minero.