Argentina’s congress has approved a bill promoted by the libertarian president, Javier Milei, that authorises mining in ecologically sensitive areas of glaciers and permafrost, outraging environmentalists.
The amendment to the “glacier law”, which was already approved by the senate in February, would make it easier to mine for metals such as copper, lithium and silver in frozen parts of the Andes mountains. The chamber of deputies, Argentina’s lower house of congress, approved the amendment with 137 votes in favour, 111 against and three abstentions after nearly 12 hours of debate. Environmentalists say the legislative changes will weaken protections for crucial water sources.
Thousands of people protested outside parliament on Wednesday in a demonstration marked by isolated skirmishes with police. Some held banners with slogans such as “Water is more precious than gold!” and “A glacier destroyed cannot be restored!”
By – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/argentina-approves-glacier-mining-bill-environment-protests-andes-mountaines-javier-milei