Milei received two of the largest mining companies in the world, who order RIGI and go shopping in San Juan

Vicuña, which integrates the deposits at more than 4,200 meters above sea level Josemaria and Filo del Solseeks that the Government declare it as a Long-Term Strategic Export Project (PEELP) to legally protect its activity and allocate some 2 billion dollars in the first two years after your RIGI application is approved.

The total guaranteed investment would be around US$15 billionone of the largest direct foreign investments in Argentine history, but the exact number will be known throughout this year.

In the first quarter of 2026, Vicuña will present an integrated technical report, which will define how the project will work, the drilling campaigns, the objectives, the necessary infrastructure and other associated services.

In 2025, miners BHP (Australia) and Lundin Mining (Canada) They disbursed about US$400 million in San Juan, a figure that approximately doubled that of the previous year and that in 2026 could double again.

Among that money are drilling campaigns; necessary preliminary work before starting pre-construction, such as, for example, roads to the mine and the camp; and the hiring of suppliers, largely local, such as the cateringwhich was awarded to the San Juan company Caterwest, owned by businessman Martín Ossa.

Along with Milei in Casa Rosada was the chancellor, Pablo Quirno, and on behalf of the companies, Jack Lundin, CEO of Lundin Mining, participated; Carlos Ramírez, vice president at BHP of the Joint Venture Vicuña and president of the Board of Directors; Ron Hochstein, CEO of Vicuña Corp.; and José Morea, director for Argentina and Chile of Vicuña Corp.

As reported, “during the meeting the importance of continuing to advance with the reform agenda to accelerate large-scale investmentswith predictability and clear rules.” Among them is the adaptation of the “Glacier Law”, whose discussion will be reactivated in Congress starting in February

“The importance of instruments such as the RIGI to generate conditions of stability in long-term projects was also addressed. This is aligned with a vision of responsible development and value creation for the country and regions where the company operates,” they indicated.

Although Vicuña is a bination projectl, on the border with the Atacama Region, Chile, all investments under the RIGI will be made within Argentina. The Vicuña District also incorporates the Cumbre Verde deposit, under exploration.