Mongabay · Climate & nature

US and Argentina Launch Initiative for Critical Minerals and Energy Exports

A new initiative between the U.S. and Argentina, the Andes-Atlantic Corridor, aims to boost investment in Argentina's mining sector and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition.

The initiative will facilitate U.S. investment in Argentina's mining sector and streamline the export of critical minerals like copper and lithium. It also supports the development of the Vaca Muerta region, which holds significant oil and gas reserves.

Argentina possesses substantial reserves of copper (117.91 million metric tons) and lithium carbonate equivalent (216.32 million metric tons). These minerals are crucial for manufacturing components for power grids, wind turbines, and solar panels.

The country is a key part of the "Lithium Triangle" with Chile and Bolivia, a region containing 40-60% of the world's lithium.

Historically, Argentina has faced challenges in mineral exports due to factors such as mine closures and a lack of foreign investment, which led to a decline in copper exports between 2012 and 2019.

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