Argentine mining exports break record to start 2026

Argentina’s mining exports hit a new all-time high in the first four months of 2026, driven by surging demand for lithium, gold, and silver from the United States, China, and Switzerland. The figures were released by the Mining Secretariat in its monthly report on the sector, then shared by Economy Minister Luis Caputo on Friday and amplified by President Javier Milei. “RECORD MINING EXPORTS,” the president summed up on X. Mineral exports totaled US$817 million in April 2026, bringing the four-month total to US$3.2 billion an 84.3% jump from the same period of 2025. That figure also came in 161.8% above the average for the first four months of the year over the 2010-2025 period. It was the strongest performance in the history of Argentine mining for that stretch of the year. Precious metals and lithium lead the charge The biggest increase came from metallic minerals, which accounted for 78.2% of total exports. They rose 77.6% year-on-year in the first four months, to US$2.5 billion. Gold brought in US$2 billion 64% of total exports and silver US$403 million, or 12% of the total. Lithium also stood out, growing 137.8% year-on-year in the first four months, to US$658 million 20.2% of total mining exports. Demand from China and the U.S. picks up By destination, the biggest increases came from the main consumer markets for strategic minerals. Exports to China grew 187% year-on-year in the first four months, totaling US$767 million, while shipments to the United States rose 101%, to US$531 million. They rank as the second- and third-largest destinations, accounting for 24% and 16% of the total, respectively. Switzerland was the top destination, taking US$1 billion in mineral exports 34% of the total though growth was slower at 43% year-on-year. The economic impact and the appetite for mining This record export boom, however, hasn’t produced as strong a “spillover” into the economies of the provinces where mining takes place unlike what’s already happening in the south of the country with Vaca Muerta’s oil and gas. A study by Universidad Austral showed that economic activity in the Andean region home to most of the country’s mining grew 3.3% year-on-year in March, while the southern region grew 6.9%. For comparison, the Monthly Economic Activity Estimator (EMAE) a nationwide average rose 5.5% in March. The report also noted that the mining region remains 12.8% below its historical GDP peak. Even so, it said the economies of both regions “could pick up their pace of expansion if investment in those sectors, encouraged by the current regulatory framework, continues.” Mining, in fact, accounts for most of the investment projects that have entered the Large Investment Incentives Regime (RIGI). According to official government data, of the 16 projects approved under the regime, nine are mining initiatives tied to lithium, copper, gold, and silver. The economy ministry estimates those projects would create 28,980 jobs across the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, Catamarca, Salta, and Jujuy.