Argentina’s natural resource sector has got some exciting news. Just recently, geologists have uncovered the biggest gold, copper, and silver deposit in the world, found in the last thirty years!
The mining site in the Andes may positively change Argentina’s economic situation and make it one of the leaders not only in South America, but in the world mining scene overall. If you want to understand just how massive these deposits are, the figures speak for themselves: 12.5 million tons of copper and 81 million oz of silver and gold!
This rich location can be found in the province of San Juan. According to analysts, this fruitful industrial metal zone may be a key to the thriving local infrastructure, health care and overall employment rates. In just 7 years’ time, the recently found deposit may turn the region into a huge supplier of copper to the world market and can even outperform Peru and Chile.
The Valley of the Moon in San Juan, Argentina — a surreal landscape painted with layers of colorful rock formations, hiding untold riches deep beneath its surface.
The applications of the found minerals are difficult to overestimate. For example, copper is an important component in the green-energy grids and electrocars. Silver and gold keep on playing an important role in the jewelry segment as well as in other fields. You can find these elements in most electrical circuits because of minimal corrosion and good conductivity. The health care industry uses gold due to this metal not reacting with people’s skin and teeth.
Even though the discovery is good news for the region, a bunch of native groups have expressed concerns. In order to respect local and indigenous communities, the authorities will take everything into consideration before beginning any large-scale mining operations. Naturally, building new infrastructure can be exciting, but it never should come at a cost of disturbing ancient burial lands or destroying unique ecosystems.
At the same time, large-scale ore transportation in the area will require well-thought-out logistic routes and building new railroads and highways. Of course, this will be done carefully, while following all safety norms and not disrupting the tourist industry (let’s not forget, this part of the country has some of the most stunning views).
The Andean region may also benefit from diplomatic cooperation with Chile and Peru who are well-known mining giants. Dave Dicaire, Vicuña’s general manager, has expressed his hopes in further developing this mining district: “We are in an excellent position to continue our growth.”
Environmental organizations are keeping a watchful eye on the mining operations. In particular, responsible water management and waste disposal are of high priority today due to the delicate ecosystems at the Argentina-Chile border. Thus, economic growth should go hand-in-hand with environmental efforts to keep the area as biodiverse as possible despite the mining operations.
It’s true that Argentina may as well be on the verge of a massive mining boom, but only the actions that it will take now will determine if it turns out to be a success story or an ecological warning. Meanwhile, we as jewelry enthusiasts will keep watching the new mining giant and anticipate the developments of the gold and silver market!
