Argentina allows mining on glaciers – drinking water for millions at risk

The Argentine parliament has approved a reform of the Glacier Law pushed by President Javier Milei. The new regulations will allow mining activities in high mountain regions, thereby threatening the freshwater resources stored there. Scientists and activists warn of catastrophic consequences of these operations for Argentina’s population and nature.

Glacier Law – a major political thaw

Adopted in 2010, the so-called Glacier Law guaranteed protection for 17,000 glaciers in Argentina and the surrounding periglacial areas. Its aim was to preserve the strategic reserve of water resources stored in high mountain regions and to protect the natural biodiversity of the Andes. The law prohibited the construction of infrastructure in these areas, the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons, mining activities, and the release of pollutants.

According to the current president and representatives of the mining sector supporting him, the so-called National Glacier Inventory, maintained by the Argentine Institute of Snow Research, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences (IANIGLA), is too broad and restricts investment activities that could enrich the national economy by billions of dollars.

The amendment to the Glacier Law, adopted on April 9 this year, was supported by 137 members of parliament, while 111 voted against it, demonstrating a clear division of opinions among lawmakers. President Milei welcomed the voting results, describing them as the end of ideological distortions and artificial obstacles that hinder progress.

🇦🇷 Argentine MPs approve bill to allow mining in glaciers

Environmental activists protested outside the Argentine Congress before lawmakers approved an amendment to the so-called Glacier Law, which authorizes mining in ecologically sensitive glacier and permafrost areas pic.twitter.com/VEcZUU1wvD

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 10, 2026

Argentina focuses on economic growth

Javier Milei is known for his radical views and openly denies the human impact on climate change. His priority is economic development, particularly increasing the extraction of valuable resources such as lithium and copper. According to the World Bank, Argentina has the potential to triple its mining exports by 2030. But at what cost?

The reform of the Glacier Law has triggered loud protests from the scientific community and environmental defenders. They point to the degradation of glaciers as the main threat, as these feed 36 Argentine river basins across 12 provinces and provide drinking water to 7 million people.

Under the new law, individual provinces will have the right to autonomously decide on the role of glaciers in their region, and if they are not considered strategic, they may be excluded from environmental protection. This will open the door to mining activities. According to the government, key glaciers will not be affected, and the economy will benefit from the implementation of the concept of sustainable mining, which will help better combat unemployment and poverty.

Every glacier matters

Lucas Ruiz, a glaciologist from Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council (Conicet), believes it is a mistake to think that there are glaciers that do not contribute to river formation. If it is a glacier, it has ice and supplies water, the scientist says, warning against loosening protection requirements and the unclear definition of strategic water resources.

Concerns about the condition of Argentine glaciers are well founded, as according to IANIGLA data, their area has shrunk by 17 percent over the past 10 years, mainly due to climate warming. Their further degradation will threaten key water resources in the country.

Critics of the reform also emphasize that mountain glaciers are part of a sensitive ecosystem that requires a holistic approach. Meanwhile, mining activities in the Andes have repeatedly caused environmental contamination, for example through cyanide leaks. Mining itself is a highly water-intensive process, which will lead to increased competition for resources – vineyard owners in areas located below glaciers have already raised concerns about this issue.

It is also worth noting that in February this year, Argentina signed a trade and investment agreement with the United States, which ensures better access for American companies to the mining sector, including exploration, extraction, refining, and export.