Argentina’s Mining Exports Surge on Gold Prices, Lithium Output

Argentina’s mining industry started 2025 with strong export growth, official government figures show. In January and February, mining exports reached $782 million—a 44.7% jump from last year. Mining now makes up over 7% of the country’s exports.

Gold leads the way. In February alone, gold exports brought in $208 million, making up 62% of mining exports. Silver earned $45 million.

Lithium exports are booming too, growing by almost 23% to $66 million in February. New lithium projects in the provinces of Salta, Catamarca, and Jujuy boosted Argentina’s production by 75%, hitting around 130,800 tonnes this year.

This keeps Argentina as a key player in global lithium supply, especially for electric vehicle batteries. However, low global lithium prices limit the revenue from these larger shipments.

Argentina’s main customers are Switzerland, China, the United States, and Canada, who together buy most of the country’s mining exports. To attract more big investments, the Milei government set up the RIGI program.

This initiative gives tax, customs, and regulatory breaks to mining projects worth more than $200 million. The program’s first big success is a $2.7 billion investment in a lithium plant in Salta, aiming to produce 60,000 tonnes a year by 2029.

Gold and silver production will likely stay flat or dip a little, but higher global prices help keep export earnings up. Argentina also plans to develop large copper projects, with some already seeking approval for RIGI’s incentives.

Yet, these copper mines are still in early stages and will take years to deliver results. Argentina’s mining exports combine growing lithium output, high gold prices, and new investment-friendly rules.

Stable policies and abundant resources give businesses reasons to expand, despite price challenges for some minerals. These exports help Argentina bring in dollars it badly needs and could reshape its mineral industry as more projects come online.

All data here comes from official Argentine government and industry figures.