Mining in Mendoza: what was the support in the Chamber of Deputies?
After an exhaustive process where the project went through the plenary session of the Economy, Legislation and Constitutional Affairs, and Environment and Water Resources commissions, the chamber received the Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre, and the mayor of the town of Malargüe, Celso Jaquewho gave their reasons in favor of the approval of the EIS.
But the commissions also heard technical explanations from officials and specialists from the Undersecretary of the Environment, the Directorate of Mining, the Directorate of Environmental Protection, the scientific/academic sector and representatives of civil society, businessmen, academics and students.
One of the exhibitions that caught the most attention in Deputies was the Augusto Roggierodean of the Faculty of Sciences Applied to Industry (FCAI), of the National University of Cuyo. The academic spoke by videoconference and said that the Faculty “reaffirms the importance of this authorization for the Malargüe Western Mining District project to comply with all the demands derived from the environmental evaluations that will be verified in an active and responsible manner through the constitution of the UGA (Environmental Management Unit), where we are included.”
Augusto Roggiero He added that “the participation of the FCAI in the UGA will allow the people of Mendoza to be assured of rigorous monitoring of the projects, guaranteeing compliance with the management plans and the prior consultations required by the regulations; ensuring that each of the 34 projects advance under the principles of responsible governance.”
Finally, the dean highlighted that UNCuyo, through the FCAI, “defends a mining approach that respects current regulations, promotes the long-awaited economic development, always prioritizing the protection of the environment and local communities. Through the scientific research that we carry out at the public university and interdisciplinary collaboration, we promote a mining model that not only drives growth, but also preserves natural and cultural heritage, and ensures a prosperous future for present and future generations.” “Having complied, according to our criteria, with the technical and legal requirements, we recommend that you ratify the 34 DIAs,” he sentenced.
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Once the opinion of all interested parties was heard, the deputies did not hesitate to give the half-sanction, which was dictated by a resounding majority of votes: 39 affirmative, 5 negative and 2 abstentions.
What are the copper projects for exploration approved by law?
Malargüe Western Mining District It has an area of 2,022,976 hectares, of which 703,432 are mining properties. There, some 70 mining projects for different products were announced.
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The 34 copper exploration projects, which are located in the department of Malargüe are:
EI Insurance; Champions; Canillitas; Hutch; Draw; Noodle; Sorceress; The Horseshoe; The Pechera; The Blue Jays; Bitter Mate; Backpackers; Papuan; Eastern Pehuenche; Neighborhood; The Greyhounds; The Spiders; The Stars; La Meli; Elena; The Lost Cerro de la Virgen; Merlot – Sirah; El Toro; Porticoes; Malbec; Kalmuck; The Heap The Carrizos; Minuet; Riesling; Valencian; Lego and Huemul.
What will happen if the Senate approves the law for mining exploration
After the approval in Deputy, the director of Mining of Mendoza, Jerónimo Shantal, He assured in response to the query of Energy Report that the vote was a “very important milestone” for Mendoza and Argentina, due to the number of projects that were approved at the same time.
For the official, this political support provided by the Lower House provides “greater legal certainty for investors”.
When the Senate definitively approves the law, attention will shift to the hands of the companies, which will have to deepen their exploration plans to see how many of the projects can be developed in the coming years.
For this process, significant investments are estimated. Minister Latorre herself reported that only three of the companies plan to invest between US$500,000 and US$700,000 in the first stage of exploration.
In the talk with Energy Report, Jorónimo Shantal He referred to the change of times that the province is experiencing politically with respect to mining activity. “The truth is that it has been a resounding change,” he said, and highlighted the “acceptance” that the people in Malargüe have to “be able to launch the activity.”
Jerónimo Shantal Mendoza Mining
According to the Mining director, one of the actions that generated this change was that “We began to show, before that did not happen, and we have mainly strengthened the controls.”
Another aspect that was highlighted Shantal It was the macroeconomic situation. “We are working with the national government, which has been very helpful, so that investors trust in this process”he indicated.
Regarding obtaining a social license, the official stated that “You have to work on it every day, and very carefully, because a slight mistake can cause you to lose a lot of work.”
1st Sustainable Mining Summit Mendoza 2024
In parallel to the sanction of the law that will allow mining exploration, the Hilton Hotel will receive on November 27, 28 and 29 the 1st Sustainable Mining Summit Mendoza 2024with the objective of strengthening the strategic direction that the province set in the development of sustainable mining.
The main national and provincial mining authorities will attend the event, and topics such as recent advances in regulatory, exchange, fiscal and customs transparency and stability, sustainability practices, project “Malargue Western Mining District”, pillar plan, inclusion and logistics and infrastructure development plan.
From the organization they reported that market projections such as that of the copper, good sustainability practices by leading companies, banks and their role in the development of mining, actors in the local capital market commenting on financing and investment instruments, as well as the main local projects with the greatest potential.
One of the great attractions will be the participation of the main international analysts, and of TMX (Toronto Stock Exchange), instructing on access to financing to one of the most relevant financial markets for mining globally.
Although access to the summit is free, but paid, the organizers reported that they will carry out non-fee activities for students.
Source: Ambito
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