Simón Pérez Alsina, president of the Salta Mining Chamber, highlights the progress of the projects and the development of suppliers.

By Panorama Minero

What is the balance that can be made of mining in the province of Salta?

The balance is very positive because Salta mobilized many projects, especially those associated with lithium, added to another that entered the production stage. In addition, there is another project with silver-gold content in advanced exploration stage. By the end of this year and the beginning of 2025, another lithium project would come into production, and there may be progress in many others with significant advances. All reported in the context of lithium, which was quite good in terms of prices, regardless of the fact that it turned back a bit in recent times.

Salta has known how to respect everything associated with legal security, and the results are demonstrated. Of course there are many things to improve, but the balance of the last decade has been very good.

On the other hand, the province of Salta developed many local suppliers, some of large scale. I understand that additional actors must be added, but I also emphasize that it is not just about mining suppliers: at the moment there is an economic impact on other sectors such as real estate, commerce and others. Specifically, it is the indirect economic movement that mining generates, and we have to continue strengthening it.

Lithium and Lindero gold were added to the borates, what's next?

Historically, the province of Salta has been a producer of borates, whose prices are not very profitable because their profit margin is very small. The borate projects continue to operate as Santa Rita Bórax, belonging to a family from Salta, which is a source of pride for us.

In the case of copper, we hope that at some point the construction of Taca Taca can begin, especially in a context where the RIGI can be approved, added to the price of this metal as a consequence of its high demand.

Salta has already demonstrated that it respects legal certainty, so all the variables are aligned for this project to start, to which are added other metal projects such as the case of Diablillos, operated by Abra Silver, in advanced exploration. We hope that exploration works will continue to have more resources in the future.

What remains as remaining tasks for the provincial mining sector?

We have many things remaining, at the moment: as mining grows, new challenges arise. If we look at the film from the beginning to the present, the progress was very good: many suppliers were developed, local employment, Puna suppliers. In this last case, I believe that this region was different a few years ago, and now it has possibilities for progress, with people working in mining.

There are still things remaining, from the private and public sectors, but we are learning, because we are all alienated, and I understand that if the three sectors - mining, supplier, public -, added to the workers, collaborate together, I consider that Salta will continue in the world as a very good destination to invest.

Infrastructure is presented as a critical item for the development of mining projects. How is Salta positioned in this aspect?

Today, the infrastructure is deficient: the projects are located in places where there was no development in the past. Therefore, not much progress was made in infrastructure, roads, energy, among others.

Without a doubt, this is the great challenge we have, because large-scale mining requires a lot of infrastructure, but it is not limited only to mining, because it also involves the development of the Puna for tourism and other activities. We all know that where a route comes, development comes. I think it is one of the great challenges that everyone has yet to meet: working together, both from the private and public sectors; It is one of the great challenges, and we hope that in the coming years it can be met.

What can you tell us about Mining Promotion Law No. 8164?

Law 8164 is a regulation that establishes the percentage of local suppliers. I believe that it is a law with an objective to be met, because many suppliers - still in the preliminary stages - do not have the capacity to comply with the size of the mining contracts.

Nowadays they can achieve it along with other larger ones, but common sense must be applied: it has to be an objective to be achieved, giving priority to the locals. As indicated, Salta has greatly developed the supplier sector: there is much more to advance, but we must also understand that mining cannot meet all the expectations of all people regarding the work of companies that provide goods and services. Therefore, not only mining will make the province of Salta grow, but all productive sectors, and everyone has to accompany.

The latest report from the Fraser Institute places Salta in a very good position with investors. What are your thoughts on this matter?

During the last few years, Salta has maintained very good positions in the ranking of the Annual Report of the Fraser Institute, and that is the product of what was previously reported, of a long-term policy, respecting the legal framework.

It is the result that doing something for the long term, respecting it, has good results. I believe that we must continue working on this path, always looking that there are many expectations, and that will always depend on good work between the private and public sectors. It is essential to respect current regulations, and especially at this time when you want to add the royalty floor. It is essential that the provinces respect the percentage with which they have been working, and that will be a very important sign that the jurisdictions respect legal certainty, and above all the long term.