Argentina Debates Glacier Law Reform Amidst Environmental and Economic Tensions

Proposed Changes to Landmark Glacier Law

Argentina's government, led by President Javier Milei, is seeking to reform the country's 2010 Glacier Law, a pioneering piece of legislation designed to protect glaciers and periglacial environments. The proposed amendments aim to provide greater autonomy to provinces in defining protected areas and to ease restrictions on mining activities, particularly for critical minerals like copper and lithium. The bill is currently under debate in the Argentine Congress, with a vote expected in the Senate this month.

The existing Law No. 26,639, enacted in 2010, prohibits mining and other industrial activities in glacier and periglacial zones, recognizing them as public assets and strategic water reserves. The government argues that the current law contains 'uncertainties' and 'interpretative controversies' regarding the definition of periglacial areas, which they claim have hindered significant investments in the mining sector. Under the proposed reform, provincial authorities would gain the power to determine which glacial areas require protection and could grant mining permits in periglacial zones. Furthermore, prohibitions on contaminating chemicals and exploration would primarily apply only to glaciers, and only if they 'considerably' modify the glacial structure.

Economic Drivers and Government Stance

The Milei administration emphasizes that reforming the Glacier Law is crucial for attracting foreign investment and stimulating economic growth, particularly in the mining sector. Argentina, already a leading global lithium exporter, possesses significant undeveloped copper deposits. The government highlights that mining exports reached $6.04 billion in 2025. Proponents of the reform, including the CAEM chamber (representing major mining companies) and governors from mineral-rich provinces like San Juan, Salta, Jujuy, and Mendoza, contend that the changes would revive stalled projects and create jobs. President Milei has stated that the reform could create 'one million jobs' and has criticized environmentalists, suggesting they 'would prefer people to die of hunger before touching anything.'

Environmental Concerns and Criticisms

The proposed reforms have drawn strong opposition from a coalition of environmental organizations, scientists, and local residents. Groups such as Greenpeace Argentina, Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN), Aves Argentinas, and the Asociación de Abogados Ambientalistas argue that the changes would severely weaken environmental regulations and compromise Argentina's water security.

Critics point out that Argentina has nearly 17,000 inventoried glaciers across 12 provinces, covering 8,484 square kilometers of ice, which feed 36 river basins and provide freshwater to over 7 million people. They warn that delegating protection decisions to provinces would undermine national environmental standards, potentially violating Article 41 of the Argentine Constitution, the General Environmental Law, and the Escazú Agreement. Environmentalists also highlight that Argentina has already lost 42% of its glacier surface area in the past 30 years due to global warming, making robust protection even more critical. Projects like El Pachón and Agua Rica, owned by Swiss miner Glencore, are among those that could advance if the law is weakened.

Outlook

The debate reflects a fundamental tension between economic development and environmental preservation in Argentina. While the government seeks to unlock significant mining investments, environmental advocates emphasize the long-term risks to vital freshwater resources and ecosystems. The outcome of the congressional vote will determine the future of glacier protection and mining activities in the country's Andean regions.