Argentina passes mining reform for glacier area investment

Lawmakers in Argentina have approved a government-backed reform aimed at stimulating mining investment in glacier regions, a move that has sparked significant backlash from environmentalists and the scientific community. The Chamber of Deputies passed the measure with a 137-111 vote on Thursday, marking a pivotal shift in the nation's environmental policy. The reform, championed by the administration of President Javier Milei, allows individual provinces to establish their own standards for protecting glaciers and periglacial areas. Critics argue this decentralization will weaken existing safeguards for high-altitude ice formations, which serve as essential freshwater reserves for the region. Since 2010, national legislation has prohibited mining and industrial activities in these sensitive zones, setting strict minimum standards to preserve water resources. However, provincial governors and industry leaders contend that the new rules provide necessary clarity for investors. They believe the change will help the country become a primary global supplier of copper and lithium, metals that are vital for the global energy transition. The mining sector has welcomed the shift, viewing it as a way to balance ecological concerns with economic growth. > "Its not a matter of choosing between the environment and development, but of having both," said Roberto Cacciola, president of the CAEM mining chamber, during a recent hearing. Despite these assurances, domestic scientists and environmental groups maintain that the reform favors large-scale industrial projects over ecological preservation. The University of Buenos Aires previously urged the government to maintain unified scientific criteria based on technical expertise. Opposition legislators also criticized the legislative process, alleging that public participation was severely restricted. The 2010 law currently covers nearly 17,000 ice bodies across the Andes mountains, spanning approximately 8,484 square kilometers. Many of these formations are located along the border with Chile, which hosts some of the largest ice fields in the region. The government's push for investment has already attracted interest from major global firms, including GLENCORE PLC and BHP GROUP LTD-SPON ADR, following the introduction of various tax and legal incentives.