Argentina adopts mining reform to encourage investment near glaciers

On Thursday, Argentina's lawmakers approved a government reform that promotes mining investment in glacier areas. Environmentalists and scientists said this would weaken environmental protections and endanger water resources.

The reform was passed by the Chamber of Deputies 137-111 with 3 abstentions. Once published in the official Gazette, the law becomes effective.

The reform, pushed by the libertarian government of President Javier Milei, sparked controversy because it allowed provinces to determine their own standards for protecting periglacial areas and glaciers. Critics say this shift could undermine safeguards on high-altitude glaciers that are important freshwater reserves.

The opposition accused the authorities of censorship. They claimed that only 0.3% of over 100,000 applicants were allowed to speak out against the measures during public hearings.

A LAW INTENDED TO PROTECT?WATER RESOURCES

Since 2010, the law has prohibited mining and industrial activities in these areas, and established minimum standards for protecting water reserves.

The governors of the major mining companies and provinces say that the reform clarifies the rules for investments and could position Argentina to be a key supplier of copper and lithium for the energy transformation.

Environmental groups claim that the reform is driven by economic and political interest, while domestic scientists argue that it favors large scale mining projects over environmental protection.

In February, the University of Buenos Aires expressed a concern about reform, urging that "unified scientific criteria be backed up by technical 'expertise."

"A MATTER?HAVING BOTH"

Roberto Cacciola said, "It is not a question of choosing between environment and development but having both", at a recent hearing of the Argentinean CAEM mining chamber.

Milei's Government has provided tax, currency, and legal incentives for mining companies. This has attracted companies like Glencore and BHP.

The 2010 law protects more than 17,000 ice bodies that cover 8,484 square kilometers (3,276 sq mi) in the Andes mountain range. Some of the largest icefields in the region are found along Chile's border with Patagonian. (Reporting and additional reporting by Gnaneshwarrajan; Writing and editing by Sarah Morland)

(source: Reuters)