Despite requests from companies to cancel the lithium law in La Rioja, the provincial government remains firm in supporting the initiative which declared the mineral a ‘strategic resource’. Although the measure approved in December has not yet been issued, the authorities believe that it will not affect investments and that the goal is to give the province greater control over resources.
“The governor wants those who enter to take care of the environment, make real investments, investigate to find out if we have lithium, what type and how much”, explained the secretary of mines Ivana Guardia. And she assured that the reaction of the private sector “It’s a bit of ignorance.” “They will have their rights guaranteed so they can invest and work,” he said.
The law Prospecting, exploration and concession permits suspended for 120 days and in the areas declared of interest, the permits granted expire. The province claims it seeks to limit uses for other purposes. “There were companies that said they were working, but the results weren’t due, they requested areas and sold them for real estate transactions,” Guardia explained.
In the Province they ensure that they were inspired by cases such as that of Jujuy, which in 2019 declared lithium “strategic”, although later the law was changed by decrees. And the state mining company EMSE of La Rioja will intervene in the areas of interest. “Other provinces also have state-owned enterprises, we are open to different suggestions as long as environmental safety is addressed and there is real investment,” the official said.
Source: Clarin
