By Decree No. 57/2023 issued on 3 February 2023, the National Executive Power cancelled the 5% export refund on exports of lithium, lithium oxide and hydroxide, lithium chloride and lithium carbonate produced in the provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy and Salta.
On 17 January 2023, the governor of the Province of La Rioja enacted Law No. 10,608, declaring the study, research, prospecting, exploration, exploitation and industrialization of lithium and its derivatives to be of public interest. The Law undertook the following measures: (i) suspended existing mining permits and concessions related to this resource for 120 days with a possible extension for the same period, with the plan to determine areas of interest; (ii) established the participation of the provincial company in all lithium-related projects; and (iii) established a preference right for provincial state-owned companies in the application for mining rights.
On 1 December 2022, mining canons were increased through the enactment of the General Budget Law of the National Administration for 2023, specifically by the amendment of articles 31, 213, 215, 219 and 221 of the Mining Code. These canons had not been modified since 2014.
It is also established that the canons will no longer be adjusted by law but by resolution of the Secretary of Energy based on the inter-annual variation of the Consumer Price Index.
Resolution No. 84/2022 of the Secretariat of Mining, published in the Official Gazette on 29 November 2022, created the Federal Registry of Mining Suppliers where individuals and legal entities that, due to their activity or corporate purpose, offer goods, inputs or services, including those of technological innovation and knowledge economy, to companies in the mining sector, may register.
National and international public tenders for the geological and feasibility exploration of 11,000 hectares in the Salinas Grandes and Laguna de Guayatayoc basins consisting of seven mining properties, in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, will soon be launched for the eventual development and production of lithium carbonate. The bidding documents are for sale until 28 November 2022 and offers will be opened on 12 December 2022. The Tender is based on a private initiative proceeding initiated by Lithos Desarrollos Energéticos SA, which grants the company preference in consideration of bids.