In 2024, Argentina was estimated to be the world’s 4th-ranked producer of diatomite, accounting for 7% of world production, after the United States (29%), Denmark (15%), and France (10%). Argentina was the world’s 5th-ranked producer of lithium, accounting for 6% of world production, after Australia (37%), Chile (22%), China (19%), and Zimbabwe (9%). Argentina was also estimated to be the 6th-ranked producer of boron (excluding United States production) and the 11th-ranked producer of silver (3%). Others mineral commodities produced included aluminum, copper (refined, secondary), gold, ferrosilicon, direct-reduced iron, iron ore, pig iron, raw steel, and zinc. Argentina held significant lithium mineral reserves in 2024, accounting for 13% of the global total, which ranked third in the world.
The mining and quarrying sector (excluding hydrocarbons) accounted for less than 1% of Argentina’s gross domestic product. The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Argentina is provided by the National Mining Code (law No. 1919 of 1886). The Secretaría de Minería [Secretariat of Mining], operating under the national Government, coordinates mining policy, while Provincial authorities oversee the administration, granting of concessions, and regulation of mining activities within their respective jurisdictions.
