Argentina Mining Exports Hit Record $4.2 Billion

Written by Amir Richani for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Argentina reported record exports of minerals worth US$4.2 billion between January and September, a 32.9% increase year on year, according to government figures. In terms of its trade balance, the country generated a surplus of US$3.1 billion, 61.6% higher than the one registered last year.

Gold and lithium were the top contributors, representing 83% and 14% of exports, respectively. In terms of value, gold exports grew by 33% in 2025, while lithium exports increased by 38%.

For September alone, exports reached US$557 million, representing a 34.3% boost compared to the same month last year.

Throughout 2025, mining products have accounted for 6.7% of the nation's total exports. Meanwhile, Switzerland, the U.S. and China served as the main destinations for Argentina's mining exports, comprising 38%, 17%, and 16% of the total value, respectively.

Argentine mineral exports to China jumped from 2% in 2019 to 16% so far this year, mainly spurred by shipments of lithium.

Seventy-three percent of the lithium exports went to China, followed by the U.S. with 11%, and South Korea and Germany with 5% each. Argentina's largest gold mines include Veladero, Cerro Negro and Cerro Moro, located in the provinces of San Juan, Santa Cruz and Jujuy, respectively. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Plant Database can click here for the plant profiles.

Industrial Info is monitoring 52 gold projects in Argentina, valued at US$2.3 billion.

Argentina has become a new player in the lithium market with six operational mines, such as Sal de Oro, Cauchari-Olaroz and Salar de Olaroz. Subscribers can click here for the plant profiles. Subscribers can click here for the plant profiles.

Industrial Info is tracking 83 lithium projects in Argentina, worth US$23.4 billion, with many of them accounting for new mines.

Argentina aims to become a leading lithium supplier, surpassing its neighbor Chile, as it speeds up lithium development. The introduction of the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), which offers fiscal and legal benefits to mining projects with investments above US$200 million, has further attracted the attention of mining companies.

Among the lithium projects approved for the RIGI are Rio Tinto's Rincon project and Galan Lithium's development in the Hombre Muerto salt flat. There are other lithium projects being reviewed for the RIGI. Subscribers can click here for the Rincon project reports and click here for the Hombre Muerto reports.

Besides lithium and gold, Argentina also plans to develop its copper resources via projects such as Los Azules, El Pachon and Agua Rica. Once operational, projects could bring in billions in revenues for the South American country, and make it a key copper supplier. Subscribers can click here for the project reports and click here for the plant profiles.

Subscribers can click here for all the project reports mentioned in this article and click here for the plant profiles.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).