Argentine Undersecretary of Mining Sustainability Discuss Opportunities for WA Mining Companies in Argentina and Signs Strategic Partnership with WA Government

On 16 May 18, The Argentine Chamber of Commerce in Australia (Archam) hosted a breakfast attended by executives of major mining companies, WA government members and respected members of WA recognised universities. The aim of the event was to discuss new mining initiatives and opportunities for WA companies in Argentina.

Minister for Mines and Petroleum Hon Bill Johnston MLA welcomed Argentine Ambassador his Excellency Hugo Gobbi and the Argentine Undersecretary of Mining Sustainability, Juan Biset.
During the event, Juan Biset has provided some insights about the current initiatives and mining opportunities in Argentina. Dr Biset explained “Argentina is known as an agriculture powerhouse. However, there is a big mining potential with significant resources that are untapped and we want to catch up (…) we’ve identified mining as one of the main opportunities for economic development in Argentina”

He also emphasized how this new administration is setting up the conditions to provide mining investors with certainty and a harmonized legislation across the different provinces “We have signed a federal agreement to unify regulations”.

Archam’s executive chairman, Diego Berazategui concluded the event highlighting “Argentina is a 200-year-old country, the last 70 years Argentina went from being in the top 5 in the GDP per capita to 60 (…), this new direction the country is heading to, is a signal that Argentina can come back to the top charts.”. In an enthusiastic atmosphere, he added “This is an opportunity for Argentinians and for investors, the time is now”.

On 17 May 18, Minister Johnston and Juan Biset signed an agreement to build a stronger mining and resources relationship between WA and Argentina.
With 40% of the Australian total exports WA is a powerful resources state that sold AUD108 billon in minerals in 2017; its system of legislation and regulation governing the mineral resources industry is recognised as world class. With the execution of this agreement, WA and Argentina will collaborate in a range of areas including geoscience systems, information technology, mining rehabilitation, occupational health and safety, royalties and taxation.

Representatives from each jurisdiction will also take part in training and capacity-raising workshops that will make good use of the first-rate mining and resource education system, created by the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Some of that was already done last year with Dr Biset visited WA with his team.
This relationship will also create the conditions for more investment from Western Australian and Argentine companies.

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