The following may seem insignificant to CCD but it is not Argentina: Mendoza opens up
Very little has made it to the English language mining press regarding the decision by the
Provincial government of Mendoza to sanction a specific zone of the province for mining
exploration and development, but for those so inclined this article out this weekend (18) goes
into why the so-called Malarge Distrito Minero Occidental (or MDMO, the English translation
“Western Malarge Mining District”) is an important step forward. The main reason is wine, as
for the last 27 years Mendoza’s powerful wine sector has blocked the concept of mine
development, claiming that the contamination from mining may harm their business and image.
The real reason is that the wineries and the rich families that control them didn’t want to lose
power over rural communities, which have always been their source for cheap labour during the
harvest period. But times change and the MDMO plan has been quietly approved by the agro
people, making this the first time that its parliament has cross party support for mining in the
modern era. There are apparently 34 mining projects located in the MDMO zone and they will
now enjoy easier permitting for drilling, exploration and (as long as things go well, eventual
development into mines. Once again, proof that Javier Milei has brought a powerful wind of
change to Argentina’s mining sector, everyone wants some of those RIGI dollars.