The secretary of Mining of the Nation, Luis Luceroparticipated in the 75th Annual Business Conference for Latin America in the German city of Hamburgwith the objective of positioning Argentina as a privileged destination for the development of mining projects in terms of lithium and copper.
During his panel participation ”Access to Critical Minerals” and in front of an audience made up of the main representatives of the German industry and financial institutions, the official spoke about Argentine mining policy, the geological potential and the most recent advances in existing projects.
In a context of growing global demand for critical minerals driven by the energy transition, electromobility and artificial intelligence, Argentina is positioned as an attractive destination for mining investments and a reliable supplier within the framework of the reconfiguration of global value chains.
In this sense, with the opening of two new lithium processing plants during this semester and two other projects for next year, the country is thus expanding its export capacity to new markets and consolidating itself as one of the main suppliers of critical minerals. globally.
Germany’s interest in Argentine lithium and copper
As revealed by ambassador of the European Union in Argentina, Amador Sánchez Rico, in dialogue with Energy ReportToday there is an interest in Europe to improve relations with Argentina and the region, in addition to the intentions to acquire energy and the critical minerals necessary for the energy transition.
At the moment, Germany imports only 1% of the lithium it consumes from Argentina. However, this figure is expected to increase rapidly as part of its supplier diversification strategy.
According to comments from the Argentine delegation that traveled to Europe, a similar interest exists in the development of new copper projectswhich will position Argentina among the 10 main suppliers of this mineral in the coming years.
Within the framework of this business event, the Argentine embassy organized the working table “Argentina: Securing the Future of Critical Mineral Supply Chains”, where Secretary Lucero spoke with a select group of companies and investors about the situation and prospects of Argentine mining.
Among others, he explained the main guidelines of the country’s mining policy, the benefits in terms of investment and predictability of the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI)as well as the competitiveness and sustainability of the industry in Argentina. There, the businessmen Michael Meding CEO of the Los Azules de San Juan project; and Michael ZaunerCEO of Deutsche E Metalle, shared their experience in the development of copper and lithium projects in the country.
Michael Meding Luis Lucero Germany
“Argentina is in full expansion in the mining sector. In 2024 we will reach 100,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year, doubling our production. By 2030, we project to reach 450,000 tons per year, a level similar to that of the current market leaders. This means that today, investing in Argentine mining is betting on a competitive and expanding industry, prepared to satisfy the growing global demand for critical minerals for the energy transition,” stated Lucero.
The interest in the RIGI led to a key meeting with the Economic Council of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburgan entity that promotes economic development and international cooperation, representing the interests of German companies in the region such as airbus, global leader in the aerospace industry, and Aurubis, one of the largest copper producers in the world.
On that occasion, Lucero stood out to the select group of business leaders who “without mining there is no energy transition possible”, and encouraged investors and executives to “have the support of the national State and provincial governments to promote mining projects that take advantage of Argentina’s strengths, inaugurating a new chapter of growth through competitive and sustainable mining.”
Cooperation agreement between Argentine-German geological services
During the last day of work in Berlinthe Secretary of Mining formalized a cooperation agreement between the geological services of Argentina and Germany in a ceremony held at the German Ministry of Economy.
This agreement is aimed at promoting cooperation projects in geological exploration, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and the development of capabilities in both countries.
At the time of signing, Lucero stressed that “Argentina needs to increase exploratory activity in relation not only to lithium and copper, but also with respect to other critical minerals.”
“Through cooperation with the German Geological Survey We increase our capacity to expand prospecting and exploration tasks. “This agreement will function as a basis and platform to deepen joint efforts,” he added.
The event was attended by key figures from the German industrial sector, including members of the board of Mercedes-Benzone of the German automotive giants and leader in the development of electric vehicles, and the managers of Deutsche E Metalle, the german mining company with lithium projects in Argentina.
Both companies collaborate closely in an alliance that represents a key link to integrate Argentine resources into the production chain of the German automotive industry, strengthening the synergy between both countries and advancing the development of the electromobility industry in Europe.
Source: Ambito
