Argentina Passes Controversial Glacier Mining Bill Despite Environmental Protests

Apr 9, 2026

Argentina's Congress passed a controversial amendment to the country's 2010 Glacier Law, shifting authority to define protected glacier areas from the federal Argentine Institute for Snow, Ice and Environmental Sciences to provincial governments, a change backed by President Javier Milei and approved by the Senate in February 2026. The reform affects 16,968 glaciers that provide water to 36 river basins serving seven million people across 12 provinces, with meltwater particularly critical for reducing drought impacts in semi-arid regions like Mendoza. Environmentalists and scientists warn the amendment weakens protections for crucial water reserves, with Greenpeace arguing all glaciers function as freshwater reservoirs, while thousands protested the legislation. Milei and governors from mineral-rich provinces including Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, Mendoza and San Juan defend the reform as empowering provinces to develop resources in areas lacking environmental value while maintaining necessary protections for strategic water reserves.

Legislative changes weakening glacier protections

▪Argentina's Senate approved the glacier mining bill in February 2026.
▪President Javier Milei backed the reform to Argentina's Glacier Law.
▪The reform to Argentina's Glacier Law shifts the responsibility of defining protected glacier areas from the Argentine Institute for Snow, Ice and Environmental Sciences (Ianigla) to the provincial governments.
▪Argentina's pioneering Glacier Law, approved in 2010, prohibited all mining and exploration activities in glacier regions by protecting them as water reserves.

Environmental and water security concerns

▪Argentina has 16,968 glaciers providing water to 36 river basins across 12 provinces, home to seven million people.

Economic arguments for mining expansion

▪President Javier Milei stated the change to Argentina's Glacier Law empowers the provinces to utilize their resources and allows mining activities where there was nothing to protect.
▪Congresswoman Nancy Picón Martínez stated that the amended Argentina Glacier Law protects glaciers.
▪Governors from the mineral-rich provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, Mendoza and San Juan expressed support for the amended Argentina Glacier Law.

Perspective of President Javier Milei and supporting provincial governors

▪The amended Argentina Glacier Law allows mining activities in areas where there was nothing to protect, according to President Javier Milei.
▪The 2010 Glacier Law hindered sustainable economic development of provinces and the nation, according to governors from Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, Mendoza and San Juan.
▪The amended Argentina Glacier Law empowers provinces to utilize their own resources, according to President Javier Milei.