The National University of Salta (UNSa) hosted the 2nd Symposium on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Mining Industry, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by this transformative technology.

With a broad majority, the Mendoza Senate has approved the environmental impact declarations for 34 copper exploration projects in the Western Mining District of Malargüe, opening the door to mining activities in the southern part of the province. This decision, already endorsed by the Chamber of Deputies, was ratified with 33 votes in favor and only 3 against, reflecting political consensus on the importance of this initiative for the regional economy.

Mining company Minas Argentinas SA, a subsidiary of AISA Group and operator of the Gualcamayo mine, has submitted a $1 billion investment plan to Argentina’s Incentive Regime for Major Investments (RIGI), making it the first company in San Juan to join this program. This marks the largest proposed investment under the RIGI in the region, with the potential to bring significant economic and employment opportunities.

Genneia, a renewable energy company, has announced the commissioning of La Elbita Wind Farm, its eighth wind project in Argentina and third in the province of Buenos Aires. Located 42 kilometers from Tandil, this project represents an investment of over $240 million and marks a significant milestone in the company’s wind power capacity in the country.

The lithium company, which is set to be acquired by Rio Tinto, reported third-quarter revenues of US$203.1 million, with attributable net income of US$16.1 million and adjusted EBITDA of US$42.9 million. Despite a decrease in volumes and market prices for certain products, the company managed to maintain an average price of US$16,200 per metric ton of lithium. This figure represents a slight decline from the previous quarter, driven primarily by weaker demand and delays in the lithium carbonate production expansion at the Olaroz project in Argentina.

The ambitious mining project located in San Juan, key to Argentina’s future copper supply, welcomed representatives from the European Union and the automotive sector.

Vancouver-based mining company Latin Metals Inc. announced that it has fulfilled the necessary payment obligations to secure a 71% ownership stake in the Cerro Bayo and La Flora exploration projects, located in Argentina’s Santa Cruz Province. This acquisition strengthens its precious metals portfolio in a highly prospective area, amid a strong wave of investor interest in Argentina’s mining hubs. The company also retains an option to acquire 100% of the properties, subject to a 0.75% NSR (Net Smelter Return) royalty.

The Canadian company sees revenue growth and commits to copper development in the country.

Argentine lithium producer Exar, operating in the Cauchari-Olaroz salt flat in Jujuy, has announced its first-ever issuance of Corporate Bonds (Obligaciones Negociables, ON), marking a first for the sector in the country. The bond auction will take place on Thursday, September 7, and the funds raised will primarily be allocated to working capital and refinancing liabilities to support the company's ongoing operations.

Astra Evangelista (AESA), with 75 years of experience, positions itself as a key player in the development of the mining and energy sectors in Argentina, offering comprehensive solutions to the oil, energy, and mining industries. The company, which employs nearly 9,000 people across various Argentine provinces, including Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén, La Pampa, Mendoza, and Buenos Aires, has strengthened its presence in strategic areas such as the province of Jujuy, where it has begun actively collaborating with the lithium industry, one of the country’s most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors.

The Australian mining company Galan Lithium Limited has announced significant progress at its Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Catamarca Province, as part of activities carried out during the third quarter of 2024. The company highlighted that it became the first mining company to apply for Argentina's Large-Scale Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), which offers tax benefits to large-scale projects in strategic and productive sectors like mining. "This initiative, combined with construction progress and a recent capital raise, reinforces Galan’s commitment to developing its projects in Argentina," the company stated.

The Hualilán project received its Environmental Impact Statement for production. Sonia Delgado, Director of Challenger Gold and Vice President of Golden Mining S.A., comments on this significant date for the venture located in the Ullum department, San Juan province.

The project includes construction and expansion work on mining roads, with the objective of ensuring transit between mining areas of interest and local communities or production centers.

NGEx Minerals Ltd. announced that its Phase 3 drill program has begun at its 100%-owned Lunahuasi property located in San Juan province, Argentina. The Phase 3 program follows a highly successful Phase 2 program completed in the first half of 2024, which delivered some of the highest-grade copper, gold, and silver intercepts drilled anywhere in the world and confirmed that Lunahuasi has both unusually high grades and large size potential. Phase 3 drilling intends to grow the deposit through step-out drilling and provide enough closer-spaced data to develop an initial Exploration Target as provided for in NI 43-101.

Lindero Mine, the first open-pit gold mine in Salta province, has reported strong performance during the third quarter of 2024, remaining on track with its annual gold production projections. During this period, gold production reached 24,345 ounces, a 6% increase compared to the previous quarter, largely due to higher ore grades and increased ore processing.

The movements of a constantly evolving industry and the political-economic transformations are directly impacting the country's prospects and possibilities.

Global volatility and its effects on Argentina were the central theme of JP Morgan’s analysis at the region’s largest lithium conference. The country's mining potential, fully influenced by international circumstances, and the need for swift decision-making on the domestic front.