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Argentina's mining exports hit record high on gold, lithium boom and RIGI investment

Argentina's mining exports hit a record $4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, led by gold and a growing lithium boom, according to a new report. The sector's expansion has been accelerated by the government's RIGI program, which offers tax incentives for large investments. The figures point to mining playing an increasingly visible role in the national economy.

Heavy machinery operating in an open-pit mine
Heavy machinery operating in an open-pit minePhoto: Usame Dzinovic / Pexels
Buenos Aires Herald54 min ago

Argentina's mining sector posted record exports of $4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, according to a newly published report. Gold led the increase, while a growing lithium industry made a significant contribution to the total figure.

The sector's expansion has been accelerated by the government's RIGI program, which offers long-term tax and customs incentives for large-scale investments. The initiative has boosted interest from international mining companies looking to enter the country.

Analysts say mining has long operated in the shadow of agriculture and energy within Argentina's economy, but the latest figures suggest that balance is shifting. Rising global demand for lithium is expected to keep supporting the sector's growth in the coming years.

CommoditiesSouth AmericaBuenos Aires Herald
This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by Buenos Aires Herald. The illustration is a stock photo by Usame Dzinovic from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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