During his participation at Arminera 2025, Catamarca’s Minister of Mining, Marcelo Murúa, spoke with Forbes to discuss the province’s expanding mining portfolio, the economic impact on local communities, and current negotiations with the national government and industry players.
With a strong mining tradition and a promising outlook, Catamarca is positioning itself as a strategic hub for lithium, gold, silver, and copper production in Argentina.
Lithium Production to Quadruple by 2026
Murúa emphasized that the province is on track to quadruple its lithium output by 2026. This growth is driven by the Fénix Project, which has been producing lithium for nearly 30 years, and three additional lithium projects currently under construction, expected to start operations between late 2025 and 2026.
“With Fénix and these new developments, we estimate a fourfold increase in lithium production,” said Murúa.
Major Metal Mining Projects Moving Forward
Catamarca is also advancing large-scale metal mining initiatives, such as the MARA Project, which combines the Agua Rica deposit with the existing Bajo La Alumbrera infrastructure, offering a significant operational advantage.
Another key project is Diablillos, located in the newly defined cooperation zone between Catamarca and Salta, previously a jurisdictional dispute area. The environmental impact report for exploitation has already been submitted.
Thousands of New Mining Jobs Expected
Murúa noted that Diablillos is the most advanced in terms of beginning construction, possibly starting by late 2026 or early 2027. Meanwhile, MARA could begin construction between late 2027 and early 2028.
“Once construction starts, we expect a significant and sustained increase in job creation throughout the project’s lifespan,” he added.
Catamarca’s mining employment has now returned to peak levels last seen during the height of Bajo La Alumbrera operations, even though current projects are still in exploration phases.
Federal Infrastructure Investment Still Lacking
One of the major concerns raised by the Minister was the lack of federal investment in infrastructure for the Andean region. Murúa criticized the long-standing neglect by the national government:
“This isn’t about a specific administration—this is a historic pattern of underinvestment.”
While the province and mining companies have co-financed some critical infrastructure, such as a route connecting to Antofagasta, many essential works remain pending and require national support.
Projected Mining Exports Could Reach USD 3 Billion Annually
According to Murúa, once MARA and lithium projects are fully operational, mineral exports from Catamarca could reach USD 2.5–3 billion per year:
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MARA alone could generate USD 1.5 to 1.8 billion annually.
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Lithium exports could contribute USD 700 to 800 million, depending on international prices.
Currently, the province exports only USD 280–300 million annually, so this would represent a tenfold increase.
More Than Royalties: Real Impact Lies in Employment and Local Supply Chains
Although royalties often dominate public debate, Murúa stressed that the true economic impact of mining comes from job creation and local procurement.
“For every peso in royalties, we see 35 to 36 pesos generated through salaries and purchases from local suppliers,” he explained.
Catamarca has structured its royalty system to be more favorable than the national law, including trust agreements that boost the provincial share, comparable to mining frameworks in countries like Australia.
The provincial government is leveraging this mining momentum to stimulate tourism and agroindustry, establishing a three-pillar model for sustainable development.