Nine European companies linked to the production of lithium and the added value of the mineral discussed investment and cooperation opportunities, in a meeting held today in Jujuy, promoted by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Argentina.
In the meeting, led by authorities from Jujuy, Salta and Catamarca, along with representatives of the EU, the current development of the sector in the three provinces and the challenges in energy matters, among others, were discussed.
“Lithium is a strategic material, a key energy source in the digital and green transition, and that is why this visit with companies and the diplomatic corps, to begin a dialogue with the authorities of the three provinces in favor of chains of sustainable supply and that generate added value”, commented the ambassador of the EU in Argentina, Amador Sánchez Rico.
According to Sánchez Rico, “there is enormous potential to work with Argentina and the three provinces in the sustainable exploration and production of lithium.”
Regarding the development of the sector and strategic actions in this sense, he highlighted that “we are working with Argentina on two memorandums of understanding: on energy issues, around green hydrogen; and another on sustainable supply chains linked to lithium”, which “would provide a kind of institutional framework to guarantee stable and predictable investments”.
“Today there is a great opportunity for our provinces, because we have not only lithium but also other critical resources that the global industry is demanding,” said the Minister of Economic Development of Jujuy, Juan Abud Robles, highlighting the interest aroused by the sector. miner in the region.
Abud Robles spoke of the need for cooperative work towards the development of the mineral value chain in the region, and what, he said, is being committed to through the Regional Lithium Board and the Norte Grande Regional Council .
For his part, the Secretary of Mining and Hydrocarbons, Miguel Soler, explained that the province is contributing with “three critical minerals for energy transformation: lithium, zinc and silver.”
He added that Jujuy also “is setting a course for sustainable mining development”, working hard on environmental control; with the digitalization of files and cadastres; the development of mining suppliers in local communities; the strengthening of mining legislation; among others.
Finally, he indicated that “several lines of action are being addressed to supply the European and Asian markets through the Bioceanic corridor”, Jujuy being in a key position.
The delegation, which toured different mining projects, was made up of teams from the EU embassy in Argentina and Brussels, and representatives of the firms Eramet, Adionics, Geolith, Stellantis, Sunlight Group, Solvay, CSR Europe, Société Générale and Tectpetrol .
Source: Ambito
