Argentina Enacts Amendment to Ease Glacier Mining Regulations

Argentine lawmakers have enacted a contentious amendment that simplifies mining operations in glacier zones, sparking debate over the future of these vital water sources. The 2010 Glacier Law, which designated glacier regions as protected water reserves, now faces revision as the responsibility for identifying safeguarded areas shifts from the national scientific body Ianigla to provincial authorities.

Reform Redefines Glacier Protection Framework

The new measure allows provinces to determine which glacier regions qualify as critical water reserves, effectively reducing the national government’s oversight. President Javier Milei, a key supporter of the change, emphasized that it enables local leaders to “leverage their resources” in areas where existing protections were deemed unnecessary. The Senate had already endorsed the bill in February 2026, leaving the lower house as the final step in its passage.

“Without water, we can’t even think about a growth and development project,” stated Congresswoman Natalia de la Sota, a vocal critic of the reform. She warned that the amendment jeopardizes a foundational natural resource.

“The mining industry is being painted as a monster,” countered Congresswoman Nancy Picón Martínez, a backer of the bill. “This law ensures glacier preservation, no matter how much doubt some might insist.”

Under the revised framework, glaciers and adjacent periglacial zones—areas frozen for part of the year—will remain under the national Ianigla inventory unless provincial leaders prove they lack strategic importance as water sources. Argentina’s glacier network spans 16,968 formations, supporting 36 river basins across 12 provinces, which collectively house seven million residents.

Glacier melt plays a crucial role in mitigating drought effects, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Mendoza. Climate change has increased the frequency of such droughts, making the availability of glacial water even more essential. Governors from mineral-rich provinces—Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, Mendoza, and San Juan—advocated for the reform, asserting that the 2010 law had impeded efforts to achieve “sustainable economic growth without sacrificing future generations.”

Greenpeace challenged the amendment, arguing that not all glaciers and periglacial areas serve as strategic reserves. Agostina Rossi Serra, a biologist with the environmental group, explained, “The core purpose of glaciers and periglacial environments is to function as freshwater reservoirs. These regions, though not entirely covered in ice, contribute to river systems through gradual thawing.” She highlighted that much of Argentina’s territory, including areas pushing for the law’s revision, is prone to water scarcity.