Under the solid legal framework of the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), promoted by the management of Javier Milei, Argentina is preparing to receive an unprecedented flow of capital in the mining sector.
This ambitious plan encompasses 37 metal and lithium projects designed to start operations or expand their installed capacity over the next ten years. Although disbursements will be progressive, the Ministry of Mining emphasizes that these investment commitments “do reflect progressive investment commitments that will materialize over time, and could even be exceeded as the
works progress.” Mining investment under the RIGI of Milei/Image: Infobae
The map of progress
The distribution of capital shows an intelligent concentration in provinces with a vision of the future.
San Juanstands as the undisputed leader of this revolution, concentrating more than half of the total investment with USD 33 billion distributed in 8 strategic projects.
For its part, Northern Argentina demonstrates its potential under the new paradigm: Salta:
It leads in number of initiatives with 11 projects totalingUSD 14.6
billion.
Catamarca: Complete the podium with 8 projects worth close to USD 8 billion.
Jujuy: Register 3 projects that represent USD 2.5 billion.
Shared initiatives between Salta and Catamarca add another USD 1.5 billion to the flow of capital.
The rest of the investment map is completed with disbursements in Mendoza (USD 630 million), Santa Cruz (USD 600 million), Rio Negro (USD 180 million) and Chubut (USD 135 million).
Investment in Mining under the RIGI of Milei
Production and employment
The reactivation of the sector can already be seen in the indicators of genuine employment. During the fourth quarter of 2025, the mining sector reached an average of 18,069 jobs, implying a year-on-year growth of4.7% and an acceleration of 2.4% compared to the previous
quarter.
In terms of production, the performance of 2025 was overwhelming: Gold:
1,200 kOz were produced from 15 projects, with Santa Cruz and
San Juan as protagonists.
Lithium: The most dynamic segment grew by 56% compared to 2024, reaching 116,000 tons of equivalent lithium carbonate (LCE) thanks to the operation of six projects, mainly in Jujuy (Olaroz and Cauchari-Olaroz projects) and Catamarca.
Silver: It reached 22,400 kOz in 14 operations, with Santa Cruz and Jujuy leading the way.
Base metals: Lead production totaled 33.5 thousand tons, while zinc provided 3,300 tons.Copper, although still marginal with projects such as Martín Bronce and Lindero, represents the next great frontier to conquer
.
The success of the model translates into currencies. In the last year, exports of metalliferous minerals and lithium totaled USD 5,806.6 million. Goldled shipments with USD 4,093.8 million, followed by lithium with USD 914.9 million and silver with USD 784.5 million.Copper, at a still incipient stage, provided USD 13.4 million
.
The prospects are even brighter for the short term. The Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAEM) projects that mining exports will reach USD 9 billion in 2026. This would represent a growth of 49% compared to the previous year, driven by the recovery of international prices and, fundamentally, by the climate of confidence that Javier Milei's administration has restored to Argentina before the eyes
