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History of mining in Argentina

From the colonial mines of Famatina to the longest cableway in the world, the 1993 investment law, Bajo de la Alumbrera and Veladero, Puna lithium and RIGI. In 2025 mining exported a record US$ 6,000 million.

US$ 6,037 Mmining exports in 2025, an all-time record (gold, 68%)
7lithium projects in production in 2026
US$ 9,737 MVicuña (copper, San Juan): the largest mining investment in Argentine history
2025 mining exports by product (US$ million)

Total: US$ 6,037 million. Source: Ministry of Economy, as reported by Reporte Minero.

Timeline

Tap a milestone to see the detail.

ProductionLaws and policiesCompaniesInfrastructureMarket
  1. Mining CodeThe Mining Code is enacted, and it still governs the industry.See more →
  2. The Famatina cablewayChilecito – La Mejicana: 35 km of cableway to bring the ore down from more than 4,500 meters.See more →
  3. Mining Investment LawLaw 24,196 grants fiscal stability for 30 years. Large-scale mining begins.See more →
  4. Bajo de la AlumbreraCatamarca: the country's first large open-pit mine (copper and gold).See more →
  5. Cerro VanguardiaSanta Cruz becomes a mining province: gold and silver in the Macizo del Deseado.See more →
  6. Esquel's "No to the mine"A plebiscite rejects a gold mine and Chubut bans open-pit mining.See more →
  7. VeladeroSan Juan: Barrick's large gold mine in the Andes, at more than 4,000 meters.See more →
  8. Glaciers LawLaw 26,639 protects glaciers and the periglacial environment.See more →
  9. Olaroz: lithium in JujuyThe country's second lithium project starts producing carbonate.See more →
  10. Mining export duties eliminatedWithout export duties, investment picks up again.See more →
  11. The lithium boomCauchari-Olaroz, Centenario-Ratones, Sal de Oro, Mariana and 3Q: seven projects in production.See more →
  12. RIGIThe large investment regime attracts copper and lithium projects.See more →
  13. Export record: US$ 6,037 millionGold US$ 4,078 million and lithium US$ 905 million, both records.See more →
  14. Vicuña: the largest mining investmentBHP and Lundin: US$ 9,737 million in copper, gold and silver in San Juan.See more →

What it means for a supplier

  • Large-scale mining demands camps, earthworks, processing plants, power (lines, generation, renewables), water, high-altitude logistics and maintenance of heavy fleets.
  • The mining provinces (San Juan, Santa Cruz, Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca) have local purchasing and local hiring laws.
  • Many oil suppliers already work for mining: drilling, maintenance services, electromechanical construction, piping and tanks.

Fuentes

Updated as of October 9, 2026. Anything to correct or add? Write to us.