US EditionArgentine MPs approve Milei-backed bill to allow mining in glaciers
Lawmakers approved the changes by 137 votes to 111, opening glacier areas to more mining and prompting environmental groups to prepare court challenges.
- Argentina's Chamber of Deputies debated on Wednesday President Javier Milei's bill to amend the Glacier Law, which would authorize mining in sensitive periglacial areas previously protected from exploitation.
- President Milei argues the reforms eliminate "ideological distortions" holding back progress, with backing from governors in Andean provinces including San Juan and Mendoza seeking greater control over local mining projects.
- Greenpeace activists scaled The Statue of the Republic yesterday to urge lawmakers not to "betray the Argentine people," resulting in at least seven arrests after police and firefighters intervened.
- Enrique Viale, president of the Argentine Association of Environmental Lawyers, warns the reforms threaten water security for "70 percent of Argentinians," as glacier location becomes a "discretionary decision for each province."
- If the lower house approves the bill, it becomes law upon Milei's signature; government sources expect 140 votes to triple mining exports by 2030 despite glacial reserves shrinking 17 percent over the past decade.
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101 Articles
Argentina approves Milei's bill that eases protections for glaciers despite environmental backlash
Argentina’s Congress on Thursday approved a bill promoted by libertarian President Javier Milei that eases protections on glaciers to facilitate investments in mining for metals — a move that environmental groups vow to challenge in courts.
With a law just passed by parliament, which according to environmentalists will greatly damage the country's water reserves
Argentina's Congress has passed a controversial amendment to the glacier law that would make it easier to mine in glacial and periglacial areas. Environmentalists warn the reform threatens vital water resources, while the government and some provinces emphasize economic development.
This is a new legislative victory for Argentine President Javier Milei. After the Senate in February, the MPs adopted on Wednesday 8 April a reform to relax the law protecting glaciers, thus allowing mining. An ultra-sensitive project that arouses the concern of environmentalists.
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